How to practice
Kneel down on mat, place pelvis on your heels
Interlace your fingers and extend the forearms forward, keep palms open(this forms tripod base for the headstand)
Place the crown of head down on floor such that the back of head touches your cupped palms
Press your forearms towards the floor and hold the position for few seconds breathing evenly
Tuck your toes under and lift up your hips, take few deep breaths and prepare your mind for shirshasana
Walk your feet in as far as you can towards your head, lifting your hips so back becomes straight and keep the base strong
Exhale and gently swing your knees upward until both thighs are parallel to floor using lower back and abdominal muscles
Continue to move knees upward till they point to the ceiling, focus on the balance by drawing your navel in and hold the pose for few breath
Extend your knees and straighten your legs in line with the thighs.
Point your toes towards ceiling
Hold the pose for 30 seconds and 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 and analytical ability of mind
Alleviates depression and conveys the feeling of balance, stability and equilibrium.
Caution
People with neck problems, headache or migraine, heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic constipation, kidney problems, severe near sightedness, 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, 100 feet road, Indiranagar m akshar@aksharyoga.com