Yoga-Meditations

If you’re just starting out, a headstand (A.K.A. Sirsasana Pose) may look pretty intimidating, but once you get it down, it’s actually pretty easy. Anyone can learn it in only a couple of weeks. Now any pose that requires you be upside down can feel pretty awkward, and even downright scary. Don’t worry – once you’re used to it, it’s very fun. It is not uncommon for long-time students to hold the sirsasana position for as long as five minutes. Why, I believe that the world record for ‘standing’ on ones head is something near 3 hours!

I’ve had a lot of my friends ask me if it’s really safe to do a headstand at all, let alone for minutes at a time. I’ve taught hundreds of classes, and every single class asks this question, too. The answer is yes. It’s perfectly safe and easy, as long as you practice it correctly. “Humans don’t work that way!” some may cry, and I say that’s very narrow-minded. I don’t see how gently positioning your weight on your head can cause damage. I have personally seen people of all weights and ages try this position (and hold it) without any trouble.

Well that’s all fine and good, but what are the actual benefits? Possibly the best question ever asked! When you turn your body upside-down, your body’s blood pressure is reversed, think of it as a sort of fail safe to ensure that your brain will not burst. But every other part of your body is going through a pretty strange shift. All that really means is that new blood is being pushed with greater force, and being acquainted with areas it would not normally reach (at least not as easily). From a health point of view, that’s pretty dang awesome! It also brings calmness and balance to your body.