Sirsasana, (Headstand Pose) Sirasana or Shirshasana, Salamba Sirasana, where sirsa translates to head in Sanskrit, is also called the king of all asanas. It's an advances inversion asana, great if you want to practice on your body-mind-awareness while connecting with your body. This asana comes in many modifications regarding how you place your legs. Traditionally there are three variations of this asana:
Sirsasana 1 (Headstand Pose 1)
Sirsasana 3 (Headstand Pose 3)
How to perform Sirsasana (Headstand Pose)?
Start in downward facing dog, keep your knees bent and clasp your fingers around your head. Adjust your head so that the top is placed on the floor.
Without moving your elbows, stretch out your legs and start walking towards your hands.
On an exhale, start lifting your trunk by lifting on leg or both. Stay for 5-10 breaths while keeping your drishti infront of you, on a point on the floor.
To get out of the asana, exhale and slowly drop one leg at the time with bent knees.
Modifications
Going into the asana on two chairs which are placed with the back towards a wall. Keeping a space between the chairs (where your head is going to hang).
Place your arms on the chairs and start lifting or stand on blocks etc for height
Counterpose
Adho mukha svavasana (Downward facing dog)
Balasana (Childs pose).
Benefits
Brings oxygen to the brain
Body balance
Strength
Relaxing (vagus nerve)
Quieting the mind
Lymphatic system
Contraindications
Face or teeth operations
Hypertension
Glaucoma
Pregnancy
Neck or back injuries
Chakras
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra)
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna Chakra)
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha Chakra)
Elements
Thought
Light
Ether
Doshas
Vata
Dristhi
Point on floor
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