Salamba Sirsasana, also known as Headstand, is an advanced yoga pose that requires a strong core, upper body strength, and balance.
Here’s how to perform Salamba Sirsasana:
- Start by kneeling on your mat with your forearms on the floor, shoulder-width apart.
- Interlace your fingers and place your hands on the mat, forming a triangle shape with your forearms and hands.
- Place the crown of your head on the mat, so that the back of your head is cradled in your interlaced fingers.
- Lift your hips up and walk your feet closer to your body, so that your hips are directly over your shoulders.
- Engage your core and slowly lift your legs up, one at a time, until both legs are extended straight up towards the ceiling.
- Hold the pose for several breaths, keeping your core engaged and your gaze focused on a point on the floor.
- To come out of the pose, slowly lower your legs back down to the mat and release your interlaced fingers.
Here are some of the benefits of practicing Salamba Sirsasana:
- Enhances cognitive function: SalambaSirsasana improves blood flow to the brain, which increases cognitive function and helps to clear the mind.
- Reduces stress and anxiety: This pose helps to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and alleviate anxiety.
- Improves digestion: Headstand stimulates the digestive system and increases blood flow to the stomach, aiding in digestion.
- Boosts the immune system: Inverting the body stimulates the lymphatic system, which helps to remove toxins and waste products from the body, thus boosting the immune system.
- Strengthens the upper body: Headstand strengthens the shoulders, arms, and upper back muscles, which help to support the body in the pose.
- Improves balance and stability: This pose improves balance and stability by engaging the core muscles and strengthening the muscles of the neck and upper back.
- Relieves menstrual and menopausal symptoms: Headstand can help to relieve menstrual and menopausal symptoms by improving circulation to the reproductive organs.