I noticed regular practice of inversion poses causes me
- Physically make my body look very lean as if i haven’t eaten anything
- Mentally some I feel tensed/disturbed in a sense…
Can some one shed some light on this.
Not really. One person’s experience in a pose is almost always different than another person’s experience.
On point one I’ve not at all had a similar result.
Point two would depend on hos you are doing it. When the head is malaligned the pose can certainly agitate the nervous system. Additionally when the student has been misinformed and places too much weight on the head (before they’ve discovered the profundity of the alignment) that too can be agitating. Further, if the student has not been instructed in the proper action(s) in the scapulae then again there could be agitation following the doing.
gordon
Layman,
I also cannot speak to point 1. And I agree with Gordon on point 2.
Can you tell us which inversion poses specifically you are having these problems with?
I have learned from yoga teachers much more experienced than myself that headstand needs a counter-pose to settle the energy. It can be pretty energizing. The best counter pose to headstand is shoulderstand (if that’s a safe pose for you), but it can also be plow or a restorative pose. I would not recommend doing headstand in the evening especially since you are so strongly affected by the energetic effects of headstand.
Also, does your breathing feel erratic during inversions?
Inner : Where the weight should be ? Please explain more or suggest a good online video ?
YogaDealer : I am talking about viparita karani and shoulder stand. My breath is faster than normal when I do this…
Let me know any more info you need.
Ok…specifically with shoulder stand - are you using folded blankets under your shoulders? I know when I’m not comfortable in this pose, which usually requires props for me because I have a long torso and short arms, the breathing can feel strained. Also, you have the weight of your abdominal organs pressing onto your respiratory diaphragm. This can make the breath feel unusual at first. Ultimately, it’s supposed to strengthen the diaphragm muscle and slow down your breathing, which is good. Work on controlling the exhalation - let it come out slowly rather than a “whoosh”.
Are you working with a yoga instructor on your alignment?
YogaDealer : Answer is No to props and instructor.
Thanks! Let me work on my breathing. Good tips you gave.
Since we’re now talking about Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) and Viparita Karani (legs up the wall) the weight issue is less relevant. It applies in Sirsasana (head stand). My apologies for the earlier assumption.
Sarvangasana should not be done flat on the floor. This is especially true for a student in the early part of their practice - first ten years. If you choose to disregard such things that is up to you, of course. However duly note that it is not an appropriate balance between safety and effect.
Viparita Karani is not an inversion, per se. An inversion is where the heart is below the diaphragm. If you are using a bolster for the pose then yes it is a very slight inversion. That pose should be calming and not at all agitating. This would, for me, beg the question of how the doing is being done.
I don’t point people to online videos. I’m sorry. I haven’t seen one I think highly enough of to recommend. I’m sorry.
Thanks Inner!
Appreciated.