It feels great to float from downward dog to forward fold whilst practising Yoga, which is why I created this short video to give you some exercises to work on.
As with most movements – a combination of strength and flexibility is required. If you have less of one, you will need more of the other to make up the difference.
People with great shoulder mobility and forward fold will be able to position their weight nicely over their hands without relying so much on strength, and people with very strong shoulders will be able to use brute force to support their bodyweight without relying so much on form or alignment.
Any time your arms leave the vertical position and lean forward (planching forward) then shoulder strength will be required to support that lean.