Pictures

References

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/481

http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaposes/a/headstand.htm

http://www.yoga.net.au/sirsasana

http://www.yogacards.com/yoga-postures-2/headstand-Sirsasana.html

Awareness

Fingers should be softened

Weight should be evenly balanced on forearms

Lengthen spine

Press wrists actively into floor

Benefits/Effects

Benefits

Calms the brain and helps relieve stress

Stimulates Pituitary and Pineal Glands

Strengthens arms, legs, and spine

Strengthens the lungs

Tones the abdominal organs

Improves digestion

Helps relieve symptoms of menopause

Therapeutic for asthma, infertility, insomnia, and sinusitis

Critical Elements

How to Get In the Asana

Use a yoga mat or blanket on the floor to pad your arms

Kneel on the floor

Interlace fingers together

Set forearms on floor

Elbows shoulder width

Roll upper arms slightly outward

Anchor wrists into the floor

Set the crown of your head on the floor

Inhale and lift your knees off the floor

Walk your feet slowly towards your hands

Lift your shoulder blades toward your tailbone and elongate spine

Exhale and lift both feet away from the floor at the same time

Rotate thighs inward

Press heels towards the ceiling

How to Get Out of the Asana

On an exhale, lower feet to floor at the same time

Breath

Come into the posture on an inhalation

Release the posture on an exhalation

Salamba Shirshasana

Sanskrit Name- Salamba Shirshasana/Salamba Sirsahasana

(sah-LOM-bah shear-SHAHS-anna)

salamba- with support

sa-with

alamba-support

sirsa-head

asana-posture