Sirsasana or the headstand pose is a yoga pose that you balance on your elbows, arms, and head. This yoga pose is definitely not for a beginner.
This pose is known as the king of yoga poses because of its numerous health benefits. Let’s examine them in detail.
7 Health Benefits Of Sirsasana (Headstand Pose)
1. Increases Blood Circulation
The headstand pose involves going against gravity and balancing on your arms, elbow, and head. In this pose, the body is inverted and this helps in better blood circulation to the head and the brain.
The supply of oxygen-rich blood to the brain improves its function and also helps improve memory and concentration. Because of the inverted position, along with the brain, the eyes and ears also get a good supply of the blood. This pose also increases the supply of nutrients and blood flow the scalp and hair follicles.
2. Teaches The Art Of Balance
Sirsasana helps the individual practicing it the art of balancing. This requires a lot of concentration and also requires the mind to be sharp. In a properly balanced Sirsasana, you may tend to feel that the weight is borne by the head and not the neck.
If this pose is performed correctly, the cervical spine should feel free. The spine should be positioned in a way that maintains its normal curvature.
3. Strengthens Core And Shoulder Muscles
The headstand pose strengthens the core and shoulder and arm muscles. To hold this pose, your body is dependent on the core muscles to keep the legs up and balance throughout the pose. This makes the core muscles strong.
While doing the headstand, you put pressure on the arms and shoulders to keep the pressure off your neck and head. This will strengthen the muscles of your arms and shoulders.
4. Improves Digestion
Sirsasana also improves digestion. When the body is upside down, it stimulates those parts of the body that play a role in healthy digestion. It stimulates the pituitary gland – the gland present in the brain responsible for metabolism and hormone production.
It also improves blood circulation to the digestive organs in the body, increasing nutrient absorption and distributing it to the different cells in the body.
5. Rids The Body Of Toxins And Waste
The headstand pose helps flush out the toxins and waste materials from the body by stimulating the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help the body get rid of toxins and other waste materials.
The weight of the abdominal organs on the diaphragm encourages deeper exhalation so that more carbon dioxide and other toxins are removed from the lungs.
6. Relieves Stress
This yoga pose also helps to relieve stress and can also reduce anxiety, fear, and other negative thoughts. This pose helps in drawing the attention inward. When one performs the Sirsasana, there is a balance of the inner and the outer world because the only vision while doing this pose is the outside at the same time maintaining focus on the inner body to maintain the posture.
7. Reduces Fluid Retention
Fluid or water retention, also known as edema, is the accumulation of fluid in the tissues in the body, causing those parts of the body to swell up. This condition in the legs is very common if you spend long hours on your feet.
Since Sirsasana is performed against gravity, it can help to reduce the water retention that exists in the legs, ankles, and feet. The fluids concentrated in these parts of the body will slowly disappear and will reduce the swelling.
Points To Remember
- This pose is not for beginners and should be practiced only with the help of a professional instructor.
- This pose should be avoided by menstruating women.
- Individuals suffering from the following should avoid this pose: high blood pressure; glaucoma; detached retina; heart problems or stroke; epilepsy; seizures; acute infections of the ear, throat, or sinuses; osteoporosis; obesity; and any minor or severe problems with the neck.
