Salamba Sirshasana

Otherwise known as an assisted headstand.

For some reason my Being started pulling me to start working with some inversion yoga poses a couple of days ago. I have practiced Hatha for many years off and on but never had the gumption to attempt such a feat. Low and behold- it worked! Upon further reflection and study I found some amazing information regarding inversions and all they do for us. I highly recommend giving it a whirl. Don't be bashful, I am not in the best physical shape right now and with a couple days of practice its smooth like butter. Might be best to have someone experienced with the pose there to help, it is apparently an advanced technique. There are other contraindications so please do your own thorough research before trying it out.

"The Headstand known as the King(Queen) of all asanas have tremendous benefits for the body and the mind. All our physical and mental activities are governed by the brain which is the seat of intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, discrimination and power. As the Headstand increases the blood flow to the brain it revitalizes the entire body and the mind and also regenerates the nervous system.

Practice of this asana provides the feeling of equilibrium and well-being and it increases memory and concentration. The Headstand inverts the pattern of blood pressure in the body " increasing it in the head and dropping it in the feet:

* The blood pressure at the top of the head increases from 100/60 mm Hg in a standing position to 150/110 mm Hg in the Headstand.

* The blood pressure of the feet in a standing position will be about 210/170 mm Hg and it will drop to 40/0 mm Hg in the Headstand.The blood pressure will remain the same at 120/80 mm Hg at heart level.

From: http://www.emaxhealth.com/62/6680.html


More Benefits Of Head Stand (Salamba Sirshasana)


1. The headstand increases circulation to the brain, which causes improved brain function (intelligence and memory) and increased vitality and confidence.

2. It improves many ailments, such as nervousness, tension, fatigue, sleeplessness, dullness, fear, poor blood circulation, bad memory, asthma, headaches, constipation, congested throat, liver or spleen, for female disorders, the initial stages of eye and nose troubles, and general lack of energy, vitality or self confidence.

3. It stimulates four of the most important endocrine glands - the pituitary, the pineal, the thyroid, and the parathyroid glands that are responsible for our very existence, for they keep the body mechanism in good working order. Pituitary gland is called the master gland of the body. As a consequence, the practice of the headstand helps us to get relief from many of our troubles, physical as well as mental, or to prevent them. It has a very beneficial effect on the whole body.

4. It promotes hair growth by increasing circulation to the scalp.

5. It helps to put the spine into correct alignment.

6. It restores the position of vital organs by reversing gravity.

7. The quality of sleep is improved. Poor sleep is often due to an excess of nerve impulses from the reticular formation to the cerebral cortex in the brain. The headstand causes an increase in circulation to the neck, which stimulates the baroreceptors in the neck. This calms the reticular formation down, causing reduced nerve impulses to the cerebral cortex. This results in a peaceful, deep steep.


8. The Head Stand helps relieve stress and mild depression by calming the brain

9. The head stand also strengthens the arms, legs, chest, abdomen and spine

10. It helps to tone up the abdominal organs and improve digestion

11. The Head Stand helps alleviate symptoms of menopause

12. It is also very beneficial for asthmatics, insomniacs, and those suffering from sinusitis

13. Moreover, you relax all your muscles and build up power, structure, strength, and stability in your neck, upper back and arms.

Contraindications:

* The Head Stand should be avoided by people suffering from headaches, heart condition, low and high blood pressure, neck and back injury and during menstruation

* Pregnant women can continue to practice it late into pregnancy only if they are experienced and comfortable with pose. Never, ever start practicing Sirshasana after getting pregnant.


Here is how to do it:
1. Use a folded Yoga blanket to cushion the head and forearms in head stand. Start by kneeling down then interlock your fingers and place your forearms on your mat. Keep your elbows shoulder-width apart. Turn your upper arms out, just a little, while remembering to press your wrists firmly into the mat.

2. Next place the crown of your head into the space between your clasped hands, nestling the back of your head against your interlocked hands.

3. With a deep inhalation, raise your knees from off the floor then slowly crawl near your elbows keeping your heels raised. Lift actively through your thighs, forming a topsy-turvy “V.”

4. With a deep exhalation, raise your feet from your mat. Lift both feet up simultaneously, even if you have to bend your knees. As your legs rise at right angles to the floor, turn in your upper thighs a little, and firmly push your heels toward the ceiling. For this you will have to straighten your bent knees as you go up. The feet should align with your pelvis that in turn must be aligned over the crown of your head.

5. Firm your outer arms continue pressing your shoulder blades against your back. Balancing your weight equally on both your forearms continue to push tailbone upward toward the soles of your feet. Once you have fully stretched the backs of your legs through your heels, maintain the stretch and push your feet up so that your toes are pointing to the ceiling.

6. In the beginning hold the pose for 10 seconds. Slowly add a few more seconds to your daily practice until you are able to comfortably stay in the pose for 2 – 3 minutes, after which you can keep up the practice for 3 minutes daily for a week or so, till you feel quite comfortable doing this. Keep increasing the seconds to your daily practice till you reach a stage where you are able to stay in the pose for up to 5 minutes.

7. To exit the pose, slowly descend with an exhalation, but don’t lose the lift of your shoulder blades till both your feet come to rest on your mat.

From:
http://www.yogawiz.com/blog/yoga-benefits/head-stand-yoga.html

http://www.holisticonline.com/Yoga/hol_yoga_pos_headstand.htm