Asana 12 – Shirasanana (Head Stand)

Shirasasana (Head Stand)

Technique: (Should be learned under supervision)

Ø  Spread a thick cloth pad against a wall. Kneeling in front of the pad, bend forward and place hands on the spread to form a “V” at an angle of approximately 60 degrees. The palms should be turned facing the body with fingers interlaced.

Ø  Place the top of the head firmly on the pad in the cradle of the interlaced hands so that the palms support the back of the head.

Ø  Slowly lift the knees and move legs up so that the torso rises till it is vertical with the head. Leveraging with elbows, shoulder and lower back muscles, lift off the ground smoothly.

Ø  As the torso rises, keep knees together. Get into an upside down position.

Ø  Stabilise position and straighten the legs. After sufficient practice one could begin doing this exercise away from a wall. In this case after lifting the legs off the ground, fold them at the knees square to the body for balance.

Ø  The body should be held straight in the final position. Maintain normal breathing. Focus on the movement of breath at the throat.

Ø  Start with 10 secs. initially. Normal cycle is 3 to 20 minutes. Descend in reverse order, slowly.

Benefits:

Ø  This exercise infuses oxygen pregnant blood into the central nervous system. As a result, brain cells are invigorated, waste cleaned and removed. The oxygen stabilises the brain’s metabolic activity. Therefore, this exercise is good for behavioural and psychological development.

Ø  The eyes, eye muscles, retinal nerves are flushed with oxygen impregnated blood. Hence, very good for health of the eye.

Ø  This asana energises the pituitary glands, hypothalamus and thalamus which controls the functioning of testes in men and all the endocrine organs such as the thyroid and adrenaline glands.

Ø  The downward force of blood also helps in infusing blood to the ears, eyes, mucous tissues and salivary glands. The throat breathing balances ear pressure.

Ø  Good for maintaining body fat balance since pituitary also regulates the balance between water and salt in body fluids through the kidneys.

Ø  Also, the downward pressure of the colon contents increases peristalsis and cures constipation. The cartilage gets strengthened because of reverse pressure on the spine.

Some noteworthy points:

Ø  Do not do this exercise if one has high BP, cervical spondylitis, hernia or renal disease etc.

Ø  Do not relax the abdomen. It can cause the walls to collapse and tearing of the inguinal hernia.

Ø  Needless to say, this asana will also benefit the thyroid. Indeed, this asana is indispensible for bringing balance to the endocrine system.