How to practise
■ Kneel down on mat, place pelvis on your heels.
■ Interlace your fingers and extend the forearms forward, keep palms open (this forms the tripod base for the headstand).
■ Place the crown of your head down on the floor such that the back of head touches your cupped palms.
■ Press your forearms towards the floor and hold the position for a few seconds breathing evenly.
■ Tuck your toes under and lift up your hips, take a few deep breath and prepare your mind for shirshasana.
■ Walk on your feet in as far as you can towards your head, lifting your hips so that your back becomes straight and keep the base strong.
■ Exhale and gently swing your knees upwards until both thighs are parallel to floor using lower back and abdominal muscles.
■ Continue to move knees upwards till they point to the ceiling, focus on the balance by drawing your navel in and hold the pose for a few breaths.
■ Extend your knees and straighten your legs in line with the thighs.
■ Point your toes towards ceiling.
■ Hold the pose for 30 seconds breathing deeply.
■ Gradually, build up to 5 minutes in the pose.
Benefits
■ Builds stamina.
■ Provides relief from insomnia.
■ Strengthens lungs.
■ Improves the function of the pituitary and pineal glands.
■ Increases the haemoglobin content of the blood.
■ Removes the symptoms of cough, cold and tonsillitis.
■ Reduces occurrence of heart palpitations.
■ Calms the mind, instilling a feeling of positivity.
■ Improves concentration
■ Alleviates depression and conveys the feeling of balance, stability and equilibrium.
Caution
People with neck problems, migraine issues, heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic constipation, kidney problems, severe nearsightedness, and conjunctivitis should not practice this asana. Also, it should not be practiced during pregnancy and menstruation.
Grand Master Akshar
Akshar Power Yoga Academy
# 4004, 100ft Road, Indiranagar
akshar@aksharyoga.com