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Stand on my Head? Why????? Because… A yogic headstand is not the familiar tripod that many of us did as children, with our head and both our hands on the floor. |
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A yogic headstand consists instead of the wrists, forearms and elbows on the floor, elbows under the shoulders, fingers interlocked and head cradled against the thumb-pads, with the crown of the head on the floor.
It is much more difficult to achieve balance in a yogic headstand, but it is well worth the effort. Headstand is considered the king of yoga poses because of all it does for us. Here, to my way of thinking, are the two biggies:
One. Headstand keeps the brain sharp as you age. The brain needs oxygen, and, with gravity's help, headstand flushes the brain with blood and life-giving oxygen.
"Headstand…brings a rejuvenating supply of blood to the brain cells…It enhances clarity of thought, increases your concentration span, and sharpens memory." BKS Iyengar.
Two. Notice the word "rejuvenating." Yogis believe inverted poses like headstands are anti-aging.
Reasons enough?
There's more…
Headstand relieves the symptoms of colds and coughs. Come cold and flu season, yoga teachers will encourage you to "invert, invert, invert." Further, inverting the inner organs activates parts that are sluggish. Elimination is stimulated. The body fluids are stimulated to move, and greater circulation is brought to different parts of the body. Thus, when we stand up again, the lower limbs, which have been drained of blood during the inversion, are flushed like the upper body was during the pose. Headstand increases the function of the pituitary and pineal glands. Etc, etc, etc.
And, after exercise…
"Elevating the legs after strenuous exercise is extremely important. Most athletic activities concentrate the flow of blood in the lower limbs. Unless this is reversed, the legs may feel heavy and the brain and head feel sluggish.." The Runner's Yoga Book (Do not invert immediately after exercise.)
But…
Headstand should not be practiced if you have high blood pressure, a cardiac condition, neck injuries, detached retina, glaucoma, ear problems, backache, headache or migraine, are wearing contact lenses, or (according to many but not all teachers) during menstruation.
An alternative…
An alternative to headstand is called Viparita Karani. This consists, basically, of lying on the floor on your back, legs up the wall, feet together, with your pelvis elevated on a bolster. There is no pressure on the neck in Viparita Karani. And it can be held longer because there is much less effort involved. When you come home after an exhausting day, inverting for 5-10 minutes in Viparita Karani can make all the difference in the world.
And a final caution…
Do not attempt yogic headstand without the guidance
of an experienced teacher. It is NOT the same as the tripod. Your neck
is valuable. Learn correctly, in a class, from a competent teacher.
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