Headstand Yoga Pose

(July 2, 2010)

How to Do a Headstand Yoga-Style?

A headstand is an excellent inverted yoga pose and can help strengthen the shoulder and the arms. Also known as Shirsasana, the headstand is a pose that can be practiced to treat allergies. There are many benefits of the Shirsasana. Some of them include warming of the body, improvement in digestion, and drainage of the nasal passages. If you are having trouble sleeping at night, a headstand can help you get better sleep.
While there are many benefits of the headstand, it can be an extremely dangerous pose to perform. In this pose, the practitioner completely shifts the weight to the head and the shoulders. If not done properly, the pose can cause serious injuries. This is a challenging pose which should only be performed under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
Here is how you can perform the pose:
1. Place your yoga mat in front of a wall and assume a position on all fours on the mat. Place both your forearms on the floor in a manner that both your elbows are right under your shoulders. Bring together both your hands and interlace your fingers with each other. Push your forearms into the floor so that there is pressure on your arms and belly.
2. Place your interlaced fingers on the floor and put the top of your head on your palms so that it is nestled in the interlaced fingers. Try to keep only the top of your head on the palms without rolling them forward towards the forehead or backwards towards the back of your head. Bring your forearms to the floor again and apply some pressure. This is important so that your forearms bear the weight instead of your head.
3. While still putting the pressure on the forearms straighten your legs and lift your hips up. Try to extend your spine so that it is erect. Try to ensure that your back doesn’t round up. This could result in injury your head or your neck.
4. Bend your right knee and move it so that it comes closer to your belly. To do a yoga headstand, it is very important that your weight is always focused on your forearms. This should make the left leg feel very light. Bend your left knee now and fold it to bring it towards your belly. Now kick with your right leg so that your entire weight is on the forearms and both your legs are in the air.

Submitted by A on July 2, 2010 at 07:27

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