Shirshasana is the queen of asanas. Asana is named so for a reason. There is an opinion that the performance of an asana combines the effect of the performance of all other asanas that exist in yoga. Headstand in yoga is considered one of the most difficult and traumatic asanas, however, with consistent development and correct execution it will only benefit. However, there are still contraindications for performing the asana. It is not recommended to perform a headstand for people suffering from hypertension, problems with the heart and cardiovascular system, severe forms of vegetative-vascular dystonia, since such ailments can worsen during the asana and lead to sad consequences, up to a stroke and disorders in the head. brain. However, do not despair. The health problems described above can be solved with other, less difficult asanas, after which it will be possible to proceed to the headstand. Everything has its time.
It is also worth noting that the headstand in yoga requires developed muscles of certain parts of the body and one should take into account one’s physical capabilities. In case of insufficient development of the muscles of the neck, arms and shoulder girdle, a long and correct retention of the asana will be impossible. Before proceeding with the headstand, you should strengthen the muscles with the help of other asanas, and over time, start mastering the headstand.
Headstand Benefits
Just as the miraculous elixir of the alchemists grants initiates eternal life, so doing the headstand can reverse the aging process. This is stated in the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika": "The body ages from the fact that the Sun consumes and destroys all the divine nectar - amrita produced by the Moon." The moon referred to in this text is located in the region of the palate or, according to other sources, in the region of the forehead, and the fiery chakra, which is responsible for the fire of digestion, is called the Sun. It is in this fire that the so-called "lunar nectar" - amrita, produced by the Moon, burns.
It is the process of combustion of amrita that causes aging. And in order to reverse the aging process, one should take an inverted position, and then the "lunar nectar" driven by the force of the earth's gravity will move back - towards the head, where it will accumulate. From point of view modern science when the body assumes an inverted position, the blood drains from the legs and internal organs and under the influence of the force of gravity moves to the head and heart. This facilitates the work of the heart and of cardio-vascular system. The brain receives an abundant blood circulation, which improves the metabolism in the brain cells, and this in turn improves brain activity, as well as balances the production of hormones. In particular, the inverted body position stimulates the pineal gland, which is responsible for the most important functions of the body.
First of all, for the rejuvenation and restoration of both the physical body and our psyche. The pineal gland produces the hormone melatonin, which is involved in a number of important processes in the body. With age, melatonin production declines significantly, so a headstand that can stimulate the pineal gland and increase melatonin production can work wonders. Also, the pineal gland is responsible for the intellectual and creative abilities of a person, and they directly depend on its activity.
Thus, the headstand can improve mental activity and even awaken creativity. The development and functionality of the pineal gland directly affects the ability for higher forms of meditation and the ability for deep concentration. So if there are difficulties with meditation practices, headstand - the best remedy. From the point of view of our energy body, the headstand promotes the movement of energy from the bottom up, which has an incredibly positive effect on our spiritual development and contributes to the speedy spiritual growth. The headstand stimulates the Ajna Chakra and Sahasrara Chakra, which are the most important for spiritual development.
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The practice of yoga has long entered the lives of people and has become commonplace. One of the most basic and difficult exercises is the headstand. This yoga technique requires special preparation. For example, in yoga, you can perform such an exercise after a year and a half of training. So what are the benefits of a headstand?
The benefits of exercise
Yogis highlight the main positive factors for the benefits of a headstand:
- Increase internal energy and improve concentration. As a result of the exercise, the energy goes down to the head, and the blood rushes to the brain.
- The level of hormones is normalized.
- Stimulates the activity of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. They have a beneficial effect on internal organs.
- Recovery of the heart muscle. Blood circulation reduces the load on the heart muscle and coronary disease can be prevented.
- Improves the activity of the adrenal glands, which contributes to good mood and elimination of depression.
- Helps to get rid of toxic substances.
- When standing on the head, blood circulation in the limbs decreases and pressure on the vessels of the veins decreases, the legs rest.
- The activity of the food system is normalized. Blood rushes into the intestinal and gastric region and digestion is activated.
- Helps a headstand from gray hair and how. This is additional nutrition for the hair follicle. Blood rushes to the scalp. The practice of exercise increases hair growth and healing, protects against early graying.
- Are getting stronger muscle tissues, shoulders and arms become strong.
- Helps and 50 years, and vision.
- It helps to strengthen the spine and makes a beautiful posture.
In addition, you can brag to your friends about mastering the complex technique of assana. Only persistent and patient people can perform this element.
Headstand injury
- menstrual cycle, bleeding may occur;
- high blood pressure and brain injury; during the exercise, the blood quickly circulates to the head and the pressure rises, a hypertensive crisis may occur;
- retinal detachment; increased blood circulation can exacerbate the disease;
- deformed spine or its pathology;
- diseases of the heart and vascular system;
- disorders of the nervous system.
Execution technique
Of course, it may seem difficult to stand on your head. But gradual learning will give a positive experience. During the exercise, you must be very careful.
Headstand technique and how many minutes to do:
- You need to start the exercise in the corner of the room, so you can eliminate the fall. First you need to firmly stand on your hands, then alternately try to raise one limb then the other. Only after confidence in the strength of the arms and back muscles can you try the stance.
- The main thing is to take a foothold. You can not rest on the fontanel. How to determine the pivot point? It is necessary to fold the palms together, bring the thumbs closer to the nostrils at an angle of 90 degrees, the ends of the index fingers will be higher than the eyebrows. This will be the pivot point. Conditionally higher by 4 cm of hair growth.
- To begin with, they kneel down, rest their forearms on the surface, grab their heads with their hands.
- The hands are interlocked, and the elbows are bred 90 degrees.
- They pull the limbs to the body and gradually straighten, bend the knees and bring the heels closer to the pelvis. This state will help take stable position. But it is desirable to carry out such actions with outside help.
- You can not fall back or become an arc.
- If there is no way to group, it is better to tumble.
- Exercise can be done once a day, while the back is always straight.
- An experienced yogi can stand for 15-20 minutes. The total duration of the exercise is 3-5 minutes.
The question arises, why is such an exercise necessary? It's simple - the activity of the brain and respiratory organs improves. The reverse flow of blood eliminates stagnation in the blood vessels, swelling of the legs disappears.
Headstand benefit or harm after 60 years
This exercise can be started at any age and even after 60 years, if there are no health restrictions for performing. For men - helps to avoid baldness, and for women to get rid of wrinkles, insomnia, gives a surge of new strength. This exercise will help you stay in good shape. physical form, tighten the press of the abdomen.
Very often, older people after 60 years of age suffer from hypertension, so such exercises will be harmful. Persons suffering from mental illness are also not recommended to perform this exercise.
Violation of the law of gravity contributes to the rejuvenation of the body. In the yoga technique, the headstand is considered the most effective and useful, and yoga practitioners rightly call it “royal”, which helps to find harmony in body and spirit.
Doing yoga is not only interesting, but also useful. Some of its elements - asanas - significantly affect the functioning of internal organs. It is no coincidence that those people who have attended classes in hatha yoga or kundalini yoga at least once tend to go there again. And it's not just the desire to stretch every cell of your body, just the result of the procedure is felt immediately. And you want to feel this euphoric state again and again. The headstand is an element that is called “shirshasana” in this wonderful gymnastics for the harmony of body and spirit. Many do not strive to master all the asanas, paying attention to those that cause the greatest satisfaction after the procedures. After shirshasana, the mood rises, well-being improves. All this is wonderful, the question is different - is it useful to stand on your head?
For the mood
We have seen that people who are devoted to yoga feel better. It's time to figure out how the headstand affects the human condition. According to trainers, doctors, such a procedure has a positive effect on a person's condition, in particular, on his well-being. It's time to find out exactly how.
- The mood rises. When a person smoothly moves into the “shirshasana” asana, all the muscles are activated in him - from head to toe. Blood flow activates the work of the brain, has a positive effect on the production of hormones of happiness. It is not surprising that after such a procedure, a person feels cheerful, active and cheerful. To cheer up for the whole day, start the morning with gymnastics, unless there are specific contraindications. Then life will seem more interesting;
- The headstand is indicated for those who are depressed. It's not just about physiological impact asanas for human well-being. According to yoga practitioners and gurus, this exercise allows you to see your situation from the outside. Such a statement is important because a person who is in a difficult situation is fixated on the situation. To find a way out, it is important to look at what is happening from a different angle. Regular training will allow you to get an answer to what prevents you from living and enjoying.
This is how the headstand affects the emotional sphere. But this is not its only advantage. In addition, there are a number of other positive influences.
For visual acuity
The fact that myopia has become a companion of the young and the elderly is no secret to anyone. Patients of an ophthalmologist purchase expensive drugs, modern glasses, and wait in line for an operation. But in the end it turns out that not always such measures help to get rid of the problem. Gurus who marvel at the benefits of the headstand have come to the conclusion that such training helps restore lost vision. Let's see how this happens.
- During the rack, blood rushes to the organs of vision, which has a positive effect on the work of the retina. As a result, visual acuity improves;
- At the same time, you should not prescribe a similar procedure for yourself without consulting an ophthalmologist. In some cases, this approach will do more harm than good. Our task is to improve the state of health, but not vice versa.
As we have seen, myopia can also be avoided by using this yoga-derived method. Only during classes do not allow any amateur performances. Everything is fine, but in the absence of contraindications. To find out, it is important to undergo an examination that will show the state of your health.
For digestion
Food, which often does not differ in the natural composition, snacking on the run, negatively affects the digestion of food. Chewable tablets, herbal decoctions, syrups that help you quickly digest what you eat and remove it from the body are good, but only in emergency cases. If the problem has become chronic, then it is better to resolve the issue with more humane methods. Gurus who appreciate yoga will give their advice here - try to stand on your head.
- This element is able to shake the whole body. And we are convinced of this more and more. When you take the head-supported position, the blood flows smoothly from the very bottom to the higher centers. In this position, it passes through all the vital organs, stimulating the intestines;
- Peristalsis improves, the production of gastric juice is activated, which has a positive effect on food processing. As a result, metabolism increases, food is absorbed better. As a result - good mood, beautiful shapes and a feeling of unending joy.
To solve the problems associated with the digestion of food, you can simply change your lifestyle - replace the rest at the TV with gymnastics, junk food with healthy food. And the result will not be long in coming. Just do not forget to coordinate all actions with your doctor.
Removes excess fluid
Edema is a phenomenon familiar to almost every person. This is associated with several reasons - kidney disease, a sedentary lifestyle, problems with blood vessels. No matter how it turns out, in any case, the doctor will make a diagnosis. If the problem is much more serious, then it must be solved with the help of integrated approach. In the event that the reason is explained from the standpoint of unwillingness to move a lot, then everything can be corrected.
Who can't stand?
Is it useful to stand on your head - the answer to this question is obvious. The benefits of gymnastics are clear, so those who can perform such “tricks” appreciate their positive impact on the body. In addition, you should pay attention to who can not stand on his head.
- The first time this asana is best performed under the supervision of an instructor. It carries a significant burden on the body, so it is important that the specialist evaluates all the risks;
- Do not do such gymnastics for those who suffer from high blood pressure. This is a strong load that can provoke a stroke;
- Pregnant women should also not perform such elements of gymnastics, even on early dates. The risk of getting an unexpected interruption is great.
In any case, even the healthiest person is better off asking a doctor whether such procedures can be performed or not. The best thing to do is get a full checkup and make sure everything is fine. And only after that you can train.
Video about the benefits of sirshasana
In this video you will learn how to do a headstand correctly:
Headstand is a difficult asana that requires serious preliminary preparation. Without fulfilling this condition, standing on your head is unlikely to be useful, rather, on the contrary, it is harmful and dangerous to health.
Is standing on your head good or bad?
If we consider only physiological aspects, standing on your head is useful for improving the blood supply to the upper body. With regular practice, this improves the condition of the skin of the face and neck, hair, because. Much more nutrients enter these organs during the asana. Moreover, yoga fans note that there is a delay in the appearance of gray hair, and, consequently, the preservation of a youthful appearance.
A more significant benefit of the habit of standing on your head is for the brain. The pituitary and hypothalamus, due to the rush of blood, perform their functions much more successfully - the regulation of the work of the glands (thyroid, genital, adrenal, epiphysis).
The headstand also helps to eliminate bad thoughts and depression. This is due to the cleansing of the adrenal glands from toxic substances, which occurs during the performance of the asana.
It is useful to stand on the head and for the heart - during the asana, it rests and recovers. As a result, the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including ischemic stroke, is reduced.
For those suffering from varicose veins, a headstand helps 
relieve in the legs, eliminate heaviness and swelling.
In the intestines, thanks to standing on the head, stagnant processes are eliminated, it begins to cleanse itself in time. And this has a beneficial effect on the entire body.
In addition to all of the above, the headstand strengthens the muscles of the shoulders and back, improves posture, and even promotes weight loss.
But in order for the headstand to bring only benefit, it is necessary to perform it correctly. And this is only possible under supervision. experienced trainer or a mentor. It is forbidden to perform a headstand with spinal injuries, hypertension, eye diseases, gastritis with high acidity of the stomach.
I do not practice yoga regularly, to my great regret, but I use some poses for stretching or warming up before strength exercises. And I do a headstand quite often - to be honest, because I just like to do it and because it's not at all difficult, as it seemed to me before from the outside))) Especially if you do a headstand near the wall.
And regular headstand performance has a whole list of health benefits, for example:
- Relieves stress
The headstand is known as a cooling pose, which means that it helps to turn all attention inward. This pose is extremely useful if you are worried about neuroses, stress, fears or other conditions associated with increased anxiety. Do a headstand with long, slow breaths in and out. good recipe from stress.
- Increases concentration
By turning upside down, you increase blood flow to the brain. This makes it possible to improve mental function and increase concentration. Helping in the fight against fears and anxiety, this posture allows you to maintain clarity of consciousness and sharpness of mind.
- Improves blood circulation in the eye area
As you roll over, blood rushes to your head, bringing in extra oxygen. This means that your eyes also receive more oxygen. It helps prevent macular degeneration and other eye diseases.
- Increases blood flow to the head and scalp
The headstand is an amazingly useful posture when it comes to optimizing the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the head and hair follicles. Perhaps with constant practice, your hair will become much thicker!
- Improves digestion
With the reverse effect of gravity on the digestive organs, the body begins to free itself from stagnant masses; excess gases come out, blood flow to all important digestive organs improves. Thus, the headstand improves the absorption of nutrients and their delivery to the cells. If you add to it correct breathing stomach, you get a double effect.
- Reduces fluid accumulation in the legs, ankles, feet
Swelling in the feet is very unpleasant, and often occurs when you spend a lot of time on your feet. By reversing the direction of the effect of gravity on fluids in the body, you get rid of excess fluid, due to which the edema passes.
- Strengthens core muscles
The headstand is one of the hardest exercise. You need to use your core muscles to keep your legs steady and balance. In a headstand, you work the muscles in your arms, shoulders, and back to minimize pressure on your head and tension in your neck.
- Stimulates lymphatic system
The lymphatic system rids the body of waste products, helping to remove waste products from the blood. When you stand on your head, you directly stimulate the lymphatic system and thereby help to remove toxins from the body.
Risks and Precautions
The headstand is good for mental and physical condition, but many people are wary of the possible risks and therefore do not practice this pose.
I recommend only learning the headstand from a qualified trainer. And check with your doctor before turning over: there are a number of contraindications (injuries to the neck, head, shoulders, arms, wrists or back, high blood pressure, hearing or vision problems, pregnancy).
It is important to perform the stance correctly, first warming up, and in a good mood. Many people experience a negative attitude towards rolling over mainly because of the fear of falling. Therefore, at first, insure yourself by turning over near the wall.
