Five Reasons Why Everyone Should Practice Arm Balances
When people discover I devote my life to teaching arm balances I get 50 shades of reactions.
Some say, “But that’s not yoga,” while others gush, “How cool, but I could never do that.” And then where are the classics: “If only I was younger/stronger/[insert your favorite excuse here]!” And, finally, the ultimate question:“Why should I even care about doing that?”.
Today I am going to answer that last question! Let’s dive into the five powerful reasons why you should learn arm balances and why they’re about so much more than standing on your hands.
Arm Balances are Fun—and Fun Is Good for Your Brain
Remember when you were a kid, and falling down wasn’t failure; it was just part of the game? Arm balances bring back that same sense of playful exploration. They encourage you to try, fall, laugh, and try again—without the fear of “getting it wrong.”
This simple joy has powerful effects on the mind. When we add more of these playful, light-hearted moments into our lives, we begin to rewire our brains toward positivity. That translates into less stress and more resilience in daily life, all thanks to a little extra fun on your mat!
Arm Balances Help You Breakthrough Fear
Fear is everywhere—fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear of not being enough. Arm balances bring that fear front and center. When you’re faced with the possibility of face-planting, you learn to lean into fear, push through it, and lean into courage.
By practicing arm balances, you teach yourself to embrace the unknown, to fail gracefully, and to trust in your own strength. These lessons ripple out into your daily life, empowering you to face challenges head-on. (And if fear is holding you back, check out our guide to overcoming fear on the mat.)
Arm Balances Build Mind-Body Connection While Strengthening Your Body
Standing on your hands isn’t just about strength—it’s about awareness. Arm balances boost proprioception (your ability to sense where your body is in space), which improves balance and coordination both on and off the mat.
These poses also build strength, in often-overlooked muscle groups which can also be essential for joint stability and injury prevention. While you don’t need superhuman strength to start your arm balance journey, regular practice will naturally make you stronger in your arms, shoulders, and core—and more confident in your body’s capabilities.
Arm Balances Make You a Better Problem Solver.
Arm balances are like puzzles for your body and brain. You can’t rush straight to the endpoint; instead, you need to break the pose into smaller, manageable steps. With each attempt, you learn how to shift your weight, align your joints, and sync your breath with movement.
Take Crow Pose, for example. At first, it seems impossible, but by approaching it with a beginner’s mind (learn more about that here), you’ll unlock the pose step by step. This process sharpens your problem-solving skills and teaches you patience, adaptability, and resilience—all of which help you navigate challenges beyond the yoga mat.
Arm Balances are empowering
There’s something incredibly empowering about achieving something you once thought was out of reach. Arm balances teach you to trust and believe in yourself, challenge your limiting beliefs, and celebrate your growth.
Every time you balance a pose like Crow or Handstand, you reinforce the idea that you can do hard things. That sense of empowerment doesn’t just stay on the mat—it seeps into every area of your life, reminding you that you’re capable of achieving your goals when you show up and believe in yourself.
Ready to Fly?
If these five reasons have sparked your curiosity, it’s time to take the leap—literally! Grab Yogi Flight School’s free arm balance training and discover what you’re truly capable of.
