Headstands are great

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Being upside down in an inversion reverses the effects of gravity, which is the best thing for you. Headstand is an advanced inversion, but legs up on a wall can also give you great benefits. Inversions are the best way to enhances facial radiance and plump the skin and fill in sags and bags. This is because fresh blood and vital nutrients rush down to your face and brain. This brings nourishment at the deepest levels. The whole brain is energized, washed clean and flooded with rich nutrients.

Being upside does wonders for your whole body, inside and out. You will
notice the way you feel.

You can do this pose against a wall, so enjoy!

Lexi

#2

Fascinating post to which I haven’t the slightest idea how to reply.

#3

I love being upside down!

I often get the urge to be upside down, sometimes I follow it, other times it is inappropriate or not right for me at the time.

I have heard a couple different things about inversions and the female menstrual cycle though. Some say not to do inversions while on your period, others say to do what you are comfortable with, and others say it doesn’t matter. Can anyone offer some thoughts on this?

#4

totally energising, how long do you reccomend staying in headstand for?

#5

Don’t do headstand against a wall. Please!

siva

#6

Can you explain why not? is it bad for your neck?

#7

We’ve had this conversation before.
Siva and I differ on this point.

I would not have students that can do the pose in the middle of the room do so at the wall. Nor would I have students who have yet to cultivate the appropriate actions in their bodies do the pose at the wall. Nor would I have students do the pose at the wall with the idea of remaining there.

However, Iyengar has been teaching it this way for at least five decades and Aadil has been teaching it this way for more than four decades. I"m not asserting we or anyone else is always correct, far from it. I’m merely stating it has been done safely this way in thousands of bodies over time.

#8

I have heard of the wall thing too. I was told that when many people learn headstands at the wall, they end up relying to much on the wall, and it turns into a security issue. Therefore to avoid ever having this security issue of trying to move away from the wall later on you just don’t do them on the wall at all to begin with.

If you are doing any posture by yourself and are unsure of it then don’t do it. Trust your body and your instinct. Get the assistance of an instructor or teacher, they will teach you how to get into and out of the poses safely. Which is really important for a headstand, as your neck is in a fairly vulnerable situation.

I think Headstands are great though! Personally I didn’t use a wall, as that was how my teacher teaches headstands. One of my favourite things to do is kind of like a very slow leg lift in head stand, it is FANTASTIC on the core!

#9

ah,

I did learn it against a wall,

but I have learnt since to do it without a wall for support :grin:

#10

Thanks for the reply:)
When I took my yoga teachers training course, we learned headstand on a wall. I tend to practice it in my own home against a wall, but I do try not to rely totally on it for support. You need to have a strong upper body to be able to hold yourself up.
I hold it for at least 5 minutes. It seems the more often I do, the more I can hold it longer. You just have to get used to it.

I’ve heard of people holding it for 30 minutes a day, and they believe it’s what keeps them young, healthy and youthful:)

Lexi

#11

Hello IA, my karmic brother,

Yes. We’ve been through this one adnauseum. No need to rehash it. Here’s the thread to those who might be interested. In post #24, spyrotone outlines a very good strength test you should try first to determine if you are ready to begin practicing [B]half[/B]-headstand, as well as the strength exercises necessary to continue on to full headstand. Worth a try.

http://www.yogaforums.com/forums/f16…tand-2900.html

The question is not whether or not you use the wall, it’s how much of your body weight are you stacking into your neck? If you use the wall, it’s because you’re not strong enough. It’s that simple.

IA,

“Thousands of bodies” is not very many, fifty years is not that long, and yoga did not begin with Mr. Iyengar. To drop his name in this way to qualify what you say here is gross and demonstrates that you are perhaps either uncomfortable or unwilling to teach from your own experience?

How many of those thousands have actually mastered a headstand in this way? Do you know? Be truthful. And of the thousands more who have tried, how many, ten and twenty years later, have limited mobility in their necks or arthritis? Tell us please.

good luck to your discs people,
siva

#12

Siva

I tried to access this thread, but it was “broken.” Any idea how I can find it as I am most curious about this discussion, as well as the strength test you recommend taking prior to attempting this pose. Thanks.

http://www.yogaforums.com/forums/f16…tand-2900.html

#13

Siva,

since I find the tone of your post placating, condescending and judgmental (and I’m certain it is my own reflection) I’ll not be engaging it further except with myself.

#14

Sivananda was saying that if you dont have much time for yoga,
just do the inverted position…

#15

I was interested in the exercises also, unfortunately the link did not work for me either.

I do have another question regarding headstands and inversions though. I love inversions, especially headstand. However, after so long I need to come down I start feeling very uncomfortable loose my stable breath, than start loosing my balance. Any suggestions?

#16

Hi

With any exercise or headstand, it’s best to go on your own pace. Doing what your body is telling you.

Lexiyoga

#17

Sorry Folks,

I am technically challenged. Here is the infamous “problems with headstand” thread.
http://www.yogaforums.com/forums/f16/problems-with-head-stand-2900.html

I hope this one works for you.

Peace,
siva

#18

I am a bit insane, I’ll admit to it. I do practice the headstand often and I’ve heard it implied that if you remain still in that position for 20 minutes you have done as much good for your system as having practiced several asanas.

One thing I cannot recommend but my friend says “Is a real workout!”, is his putting his foot to one side of a wall when in the headstand pose and placing his hands to his sides putting a tone of stress on his neck. He is absolutely crazy!!!

#19

The headstand is call the king of all asanas and the shoulder stand is called the queen of all asanas. They are the most healthy postures out there including the forward bend.

#20

I love headstands. 10 years ago I broke my shoulder and I have difficulty getting my shoulder and upper arms in the correct position to do a natural headstand, but our studio has some of the headstand ‘benches’ which is an amazing tool. I have tried against a wall, but the tendency is to release the bandhas. I can remain inverted on the bench for hours.

Ultimately, I would love to have the movement in my shoulders. It’s coming.