Practicing Handstands

Even if you're not quite there in your yoga practice, a good start to achieving a handstand is holding the Downward Dog pose for 10 minutes or more.  Its harder than it sounds, and a great test of your patience.  You need the correct alignment and strength in your shoulders, plus core strength.  Core strength helps by keeping the legs light and keeping them up.  Always engage your inner abs whenever you can remember during yoga, these are the Mula and Uddiyana Bandhas you are activating.

In Downward Dog, you are in an upside down 'V'-shape and your gaze is between your toes.  The distance between your hands and feet should be around the same as in your plank pose.  Keep your fingers and toes spread, and equal weight distribution between arms and legs.