Sirsana / Headstand – The King of Asanas

SIRSANA (HEADSTAND)

Sirsasana or the head stand will forever more hold a very special place in my heart because during the course, through hard work, trust and determination I finally managed to get up into this inversion pose having not been able to for many years and I was over the moon! However it was only after achieving this that I learnt of all the physical mental and spiritual benefits and was really impressed. I have listed these below because these explain why many refer to as the King of Asanas.
Physical Benefits
  • Strengthens the upper body (arms, shoulders and back) and the core
  • Helps to improve deep core muscles and muscular endurance as the posture should ideally be held for an extended period between 2 and 10 minutes.
  • Improves digestion as gastric fire is increased and due to the reversed gravity on your digestive organs,it will help to move stuck material, release trapped gases, as well as improve blood flow to all important digestive organs — increasing nutrient absorption and delivery to your cells.
  • Cleanses your organs; intestines, kidneys, stomach, liver and reproductive systems.
  • It aids all bodily systems including; digestive, endocrine, respiratory, skeletal and cardiovascular by reversing gravities pressure while in the position
  • Headstands stimulate and provide fresh blood to the pituitary and hypothalamus glands. These glands are vital to our welling, and are considered the master glands that regulate all the other glands in the body (thyroid, pineal, thalamus, testicles, ovaries etc…)
  • Going upside down will squeeze your little adrenal glands, which are responsible for the production of stress hormones. The cleaner your adrenal glands are, the better they will function allowing you to adapt to stress better.
  • Decreases fluid build-up in the legs, ankles and feet (edema). Once again the reverse power of gravity will help flush fluids from the body. This will also help reduce the onset of varicose veins.
  • The pose stimulates the lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system is very important as it removes waste products from your blood and therefor the posture helps to  de-toxify your body.
  • It is a great position if you want to increase the flow of blood and nutrients and oxygen to your face, brain and scalp. This may also aid hair growth (and some say stop grey hairs!) and rejuvenate skin as more blood reaches the skin cells and hair follicles.
  • Improved circulation occurs as the heart has to pump blood upwards to the brain but as you are upside down the position gives the heart a rest that reduces unnecessary strain. In addition, while in headstand de-oxygenated blood is able to flow more easily from the extremities to the heart.
  • It helps properly align the spine therefore helping to improve posture
Mental Benefits
  • Helps to relieve stress as it is a “cooling posture”. It is particularly helpful if you are having anxiety, stress, fear of otherwise worrisome thoughts. Combine headstand with long, slow breathing and you have a recipe for stress relief as it produces a entering, calming and soothing effect.
  • The posture helps to stop depression as the adrenal glands are flushed and detoxified with the inverted position.
  • It increases mental focus. When getting in to the posture you need to focus on your strength and balance which helps to generate mental clarity.
  • Stimulates the nervous system, increasing memory, mental alertness and clarity.
Spiritual benefits
  • Sirsasana is called the “king of all asanas” for a reason as it allows us to overcome the force of gravity in the material world that can age and deplete our body and mind.
  • Stimulate the sahasrara energy  centre at the crown of your head to enhance clarity of vision and intuition.
  • Help a person
  • It it thought to enhance self confidence, roundedness, balance and empathy while diminishing fear.
  • Sexual energy is thought be converted to spiritual energy and stored in the brain when in this posture

If you’re not up yet keep practicing, you’ll get there and if you are ENJOY! 🙂