Sirsasana: Method, Benefits and Precautions

Sirsasana: Sirsasana (also called Headstand) is a Vishisht asana (special posture). Special poses are those yoga asanas which are not done sitting, standing or lying down. There is a special type of situation for them.

Sirsasana or Yoga Headstand

Sirsasana (Shirshasana) or Headstand is made of two words; head+stand (shirsh + Asana). Because of standing on the head, it is called Headstand (Shirshasana in Hindi). The headstand (Sirsasana) is called the king of asanas. This is a statement expressing its quality and importance. There are some precautions before doing this, which should be done methodically after knowing them well, otherwise, there is more possibility of loss instead of profit.

Method To Do Sirsasana (Headstand)

• For Shirshasan, make a thickly folded blanket or a cloth wheel so that the head can rest securely on it.
• Make a firm bond by sitting on the knees by intertwining the fingers of the hands.
• Rest the hands near the folded blanket or round cloth wheel.
• Rest the head firmly on the cloth wheel or the blanket in such a way that the top of the head is above the cloth/blanket and both the thumbs are towards the back of the head.
  • While straightening the toes, slowly straighten the torso towards the neck. As the waist becomes straight, the feet will come towards the chest.
• Keeping the body balanced, raise the feet above the ground.
• Slowly straighten the legs and body and remain still.

Sirsasana Precautions

It is always suggested to practice the sirsasana under an expert Yoga teacher only. Here are some sirsasana precautions mentioned while practising it.

• Do not do asanas up to 3 hours after meals.
• Do not do Shirshasana immediately after strenuous exercise or exertion.
• Do not do Shirshasana if you are suffering from diseases of blood impurity, blood pressure, ear disease, eye disease, neck disease etc.
• People with strong bile nature should also not do this asana.
• If there is any kind of physical difficulty with the headstand, do not do it without the supervision of a guide.
• Do not bend the neck in Shirshasana, do not jerk the neck, or take support of the wall as much as possible.
• Do Tadasana after Shirshasan. Then must perform Shavasan.

Breathing method in Sirsasana

Bend the knees then do purak and raise the legs up then do catharsis. The speed of breathing will be normal during Shirshasan period. Do not breathe through the mouth at all.

How long one should perform Sirsasana

Initially increase by one minute per week after only 30 seconds of practice. From the point of view of general practice, 3 minutes is enough. Do not do more than this without a guide.

Effects of Headstand Yoga on Health

Shirshasana is called the king of asanas. Its popularity is well known. The glory of Sirsasana (Headstand) is full in the books of Yoga, people get attracted towards Shirshasan after listening to this glory. Then they start trying to do Shirshasana, it is not good from the point of view of health because wrong results can also come due to a lack of a correct method of Sirsasana and a qualified director. Practitioners of Sirsasana should not ignore the wrong results with the help of the goodness of this yoga asana.

In Headstand (sirsasana), all the organs of the body come in the opposite state. Due to this, the body’s upper part is supplied with the full amount of blood. When the blood and organs come in the opposite position, the defects present in them are rectified. Due to getting the full amount of blood to the hair roots, they become black and long. It is helpful in the removal of hernias, headaches, and dhatu defects. This asana increases the working power of the digestive system, lungs and heart.

Do not do Shirshasana for a long time. This has an adverse effect on health. Some modern yogis and doctors consider Shirshasana to be injurious to health. Due to the opposite condition of the organs, the disorder prevalent in the blood descends to the eyes and other organs. There is a possibility of harming the delicate cells of the eyes and head due to excessive pressure.

Effect of the Headstand on the glandular system

A headstand (Sirsasana) increases the pressure of blood on the head, due to which the cells of the head become active and powerful.

Hypothalamus, pineal, and pituitary glands are affected by this asana. The balance of their secretions affects the activities of other glands. Due to this, the working capacity of different parts of the body develops.

Benefits of Sirsasana

• All the disorders of the head go away.
• Strengthens the nervous system of memory, stomach, shoulder, heart etc.
• Heals the glandular system.
• It is very beneficial in diseases like hernia, nightfall, dhatu defects, asthma, diabetes, headache etc.

Read Also: Sarvangasana: Method, Precautions, Benefits of Shoulder Stand