Growing Handstands in the Sand at Xinalani

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Misjudging a handstand and crashing to the floor is about as much fun as getting unexpectedly fired from your job or having your heart broken. I believe though, that falling out of a handstand is essential to growing a better understanding of who we are.

Handstands are fantastic living laboratories. Suddenly upside down needs to become right side up, and we must muster the courage to embrace the process of adjusting to a new perspective. Similarly, leaving the familiarity and responsibility of your regular schedule to head out on a yoga retreat can feel wobbly too. Like a handstand, navigating a healthy work/life balance is a brave step towards self-discovery. Personally, I’ve tumbled many times- both out of my handstands and out of my rigid agenda- and as a result, I’ve found my way into a new headspace. Stumbles are the seeds of discovery that allow us to grow in new and inspired directions.

A tree grows in two directions at the same time- down into the earth and up towards the light of the sun. These are the tree’s root and fruit systems. Above ground there may be no evidence of growth, but subterranean progress known as gravitropism (growing in the direction of gravity) is in full effect. In fact, the roots that are growing down there look very similar to what the tree will eventually look like above ground.

The root system of a handstand resembles that of a tree. You place your hands in fertile learning-soil and plant the seed of your someday-handstand. You practice foundational building-block poses like plank, down dog, bakasana (crow pose) and L pose (walking your feet up the wall into an L shape). These postures act as a greenhouse where you can safely begin to shift from root to shoot.

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In a handstand you're kicking up into the unknown- kind of like signing up for a retreat in Mexico at a place with a name you're still not sure how to pronounce.

In truth, your subterranean, soulful, gravitropism preparation for your Xinalani adventure started long before you boarded your flight. When you registered, you made a bold choice to grow your curiosity and not be too intimidated to take the leap. On the dock in Puerto Vallarta, you decided to say, “I can” instead of “I can’t,” as you climbed aboard the motorboat that zipped you across the bay to the unique, hidden, jungle oasis awaiting you.

Then, there on retreat, surrounded by banana, pochote, avocado, palm and coconut trees, nature becomes a guide to unearthing your own true nature- and handstands act as a metaphoric reminder of the value in turning things upside down sometimes. Your stay at Xinalani encourages you to keep growing in two directions- forever deepening your roots and widening your branches in all aspects of your life.

In front of you on the beach, pelicans take dare-devil-deep dives into the rolling surf in the hope of fishing out their prize, and you continue to uncover your own as you plant your hands in the soft sand and playfully kick up.