Sirsasana (Headstand Pose): Meet the King Of Yoga

If you ever thought there should be one yoga pose that can give you all the health benefits, then Sirsasana is the one. While this term is used loosely, the real name is Salamba shirshasana. This is also called the yoga headstand pose. This is an inverted asana. It is often called the kind of all asanas. The Sirsasana is placed high in the yoga world due to its enormous benefits in maintaining health and the metabolic system. But this pose needs expert supervision. This yoga pose is responsible for ultimate healing if it is done in the right way with full safety.

Most of all are suffering from a sedentary lifestyle. Due to this, we experience stiffness in the body system, and this is the nest of many diseases. Obesity, headaches, problems related to blood and joints are one of the many complications arising due to this sedentary lifestyle. Medication is one alternative, but it may have several side effects. Yoga provides an alternative to this. This is where Sirsasana helps. It improves blood circulation and ensures that blood receives enough oxygenated blood. It helps solve many endocrine-related problems, including many diseases and disorders. Practising this pose routinely will develop to develop discipline and widen the horizons of the spirit. Let us know the significance of this pose.

Significance of Sirsasana Pose

The Headstand pose is considered as one of the most beneficial yoga poses. Yogic experts prescribe this pose to awaken the Sahasrara chakra. The Sahasrara chakra is located at the temple of the head. It is the centre of the energy responsible for interlinking spirituality, peace and enlightenment. It revitalises the whole body and mind. It calms the mind and relieves the person from anxiety and other psychological disturbances, which marks the beginning of many disorders like asthma, diabetes or hormonal changes. This pose is in the inverted form and against gravity. It helps in tissue regeneration. In the inverted position, the weight of the lower abdominal organs on the diaphragm helps in exhalation, thereby removing the carbon dioxide from the lungs.

Sirsasana requires a lot of patience and discipline. Mastering this pose will take time, and initially, there might be problems in balancing the entire body as the weight falls directly on the shoulder and head. Once you start getting comfortable with Sirsasana, you can feel the benefits. It also helps in calming the mind, and when one attains the comfort zone with this pose can use it for meditation. With so much goodness, we should know how to do it, right?

How To Perform A Headstand Pose?

To prepare for this pose using a soft base. The head is a vital part of the body, so one should be careful. One can use a flooded blanket or a soft mat of the sticky mat for a base. Kneel on the floor. Then bind your fingers together and put the forearms on the floor. The arms and elbows should be in a wide V shape. Now set the temple of the head on the floor. Taking help from a partner should be good for Headstand for beginners. Press the bases of the palms together and place the head in the shell of the clasped hands.

The next step is to inhale and lift the knee against gravity. This is one of the most important phases. Then elevate the top thigh forming an inverted V. The shoulder plates should be firmly grounded. At this time, half of the bodyweight is on the shoulder. Then slowly lift your legs upwards. Care should be taken to follow this step slowly. This will help in preventing the entire body weight from collapsing on the shoulder and neck.

Now exhale and take note both the feet should be up at the same time. As the leg is now perpendicular to the floor, firm the waist and back. The entire body should be erect and then pointing towards the ceiling. Hold this position and breath smoothly. Hold as long as you can and then slowly reverse the action to return to the native position. There are a few modifications and variations one can try initially. Then they can proceed for the traditional pose.

Modifications And Variations

There are many modifications and variations one can try. The list is long. Contact an expert yoga practitioner for trying these modifications. Let us go through the list.

1. Salamba Sirsasana 2: It is called the Headstand 2 pose with palms down and wide shoulders.
2. Salamba Sirsasana 3: It is called the Headstand 3 with palms down, in front of the face.
3. Baddha Hasta Sirsasana: It is also called Bound hands Headstand.
4. Baddha Konasana Sirsasana : It is the bound angle pose in Headstand.
5. Eka Pada Sirsasana : It is the single leg Headstand.
6. Mukta Hasta Sirsasana: As per the name, it is called the free hands Headstand.
7. Parsva Sirsasana : This is called the Side Headstand.
8. Parshva Ekapada Sirsasana : It is one of the variations of Single Leg Headstand.
9. Upavistha Konasana Sirsasana: It is called the seated Angle pose in Headstand.

All these variations should be done under the expert supervision of a seasoned yoga practitioner.

Benefits Of Sirsasana

There are several benefits to this pose. It is difficult to collate all. But let us list a few of them below.

• Brain related function: The pituitary gland is the master gland in the brain. It controls other glands like the adrenal glands, a thyroid gland that makes up the endocrine system. Thus it controls the endocrine system. Sirsasana also increases the blood flow in the brain. It helps in improving cognitive functions. This also helps in improving the intracranial pressure.

• Blood and Lymphatics: It helps in augmenting the work of the pancreas by increasing the blood flow. This helps in improving the metabolism of sugar in blood. Our body removes the waste through the lymphatic systems. This pose helps in stimulating the lymphatics and movement of the toxins from the lymphatic system.

• Stress Reliever And Increased Focus: It helps in normalizing the blood pressure, increasing the blood flow into the brain and decongesting any blockage in the brain. This smoothens the blood flow and thereby relieve any stress related to the neurons. Due to this, the nervous system is also stimulated, and it calms the nerve. This also improves mental capacity and increases concentration. This also helps the brain to remain sharp and healthy.

• Strengthens The Muscles: The person in the headstand position has several benefits for muscles. The muscles of the back, neck and shoulder get toned. Also, the spinal column also attains power and firmness.

Sirsasana Contraindications

People with back injury, headache, heart problem or high blood pressure should not try this pose. Ladies with menstruation problems should also stay away from this pose. Pregnancy is one more contraindication where one must not try this pose. This pose is considered an intermediate pose, so expert supervision is needed if you are a beginner.

Sirsasana yoga pose is the king of yoga poses. This pose has immense health benefits. The only thing is that it should be done right. In case of any ambiguity, call an expert yoga practitioner. If you are facing any medical problem, do not perform this pose. Stay healthy with yoga.

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