The Handstanding Yogi: The Hows, Whys & WTFs of Being Upside Down

Ash Bond

Nov 2017 · Troubador Publishing Ltd

About this ebook

All of these questions have been thrown at acrobat Gabrielle Parker on a daily basis since she became a handstand teacher. It was time, she thought, to write them down. Joining forces with yoga teacher and writer Ash Bond, the two teachers approach this powerful pose from their two differing and complementary perspectives.
In understanding the power of turning your world on its head and onto your hands this book explores mind-bogglingly beautiful art made by the humblest of circus souls, rockstar yogis baring all to teach people a lesson in loving themselves, yoga warriors who combat addictions with the high of being upside down and teachers in whose hands handstands are fonts of strength for those who need it most. Gabby and Ash would see that handstands have made careers, broken egos, crippled bodies, given people roots and even gifted some of the luckier ones wings.
Filled with over 70 hand-drawn illustrations, The Handstanding Yogi is a comforting travel companion on your journey to a safe and successful inversion practice. It is also a fun memoir, charting the sometimes frustrating journey of getting on ones hands. It is unashamedly geeky and a little bit sweary, much like handstands themselves.

About the author

Ash Bond is an Oxford graduate turned English teacher turned outdoor guide turned yoga teacher. They met in Gabby’s handstand class one rainy Bristol evening where Gabby made Ash do push-ups for being late. Six months later, they were having coffee (Ash having not quite forgiven Gabby for the push-ups) and Gabby asked why handstands were so popular, especially in yoga. Their business HandstandYogi and their debut book The Handstanding Yogi evolved from this question.

Gabrielle Parker is a professionally trained acrobat and handstand instructor.