Sirshasana - The Head Stand

"Sirsha" means "head" in Sanskrit. The main feature of this asana is to "stand on his head" as the name suggests.

Sequence:

• The asana should not be performed without a cushion or pad for your head. Any cloth or blanket folded several times and spread on the carpet can be used as a cushion.
• Bend in front of the pad and make sure that only the toes and knees touch the floor.
• Make a pose to sit back between your heels.
• Next action is to stoop forward, raising the haunches from the heels.
• While doing so, bend your arms and place your elbows, forearms and hands on the pad on either side of your head.
• Next step is to joint fingers in the form of finger-lock to fit round the back of your head, palms facing inwards.
• Keep the elbows facing each other and make an angle at a comfortable pace in front of you using forearms and elbows.
• The most important step is to bend the head down at 90 degree to the ground and place the hind part of the crown of your head on the pad with the interlocked fingers pressing the back of your head.
• Lift up your knees, hips and the lower part of your trunk and spread your legs straight up.
• Keep the feet close to each other.
• Drag your feet slowly towards your face and balance your feet on tiptoe.
• Bring the knees closer to the chest.
• Pressing the toes, elbows, forearms and head against the floor, give a gentle kick and lift your feet together off the floor.
• The thighs should be upright, the legs horizontal and the trunk perpendicular to the ground.
• Keep the feet together and maintain balance.
• Fold the legs back on the thighs.
• Raise the folded legs and thighs till the thighs come parallel to the floor.
• Straighten the back maintaining balance.
• Straighten out the thighs fully in line with the trunk, with the legs still folded back on the thighs.
• Open out your legs and stretch them up vertically.
• Bring the legs together and maintain balance.
• This is the final position.
• Return to the starting position slowly in the reverse order.
• Lie down in Savasana and allow your muscles to relax.

Benefits:

• This asana directly stimulates the pineal and the pituitary glands in the brain whose healthy functioning is essential proper metabolism.
• A regular practice of Sirshasana benefits the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory and endocrine systems.
• It also sharpens the sensitivity of the sense organs.

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