10 Excellent Health Benefits of Sirsasana Headstand Pose


Get into the challenging headstand pose and emerge as a strong and healthy human being. Read about the top health benefits of sirsasana, its steps, and more.

The Hatha Yoga posture of Sirsasana (Headstand) is titled as ‘King of Poses’ by the yogis for numerous reasons. In his book ‘Light on Yoga,' B.K.S Iyengar explains why Sirsasana is considered as the king -- a person cannot flourish to his full capabilities without a healthy brain just like a country cannot work without a king (head), this quality is attributed to the Headstand pose. Also, in his book, he mentions numerous ways the headstand yoga posture brings vitality and goodness to the practitioners.

The Sirsasana fosters grace, vibrancy, and health, which makes it one of the most loved yoga postures despite the fear it engenders in the performers. When the individuals show up on a yoga mat in a headstand yoga posture with dedication, they feel invigorated and begin to experience the health benefits of headstand pose.

Get ready for the Sirsasana (Headstand). Few tips to consider before taking the practice:

1. Practice boat pose, dolphin plank, and wide-legged forward bend to strengthen your shoulders, pectorals, and arms for taking the weight off the delicate neck.

2. In the Sirsasana, the exhalations have to be longer in order to magnify the health benefits of sirsasana and its efficacy.

3. Perform a variety of stamina building yoga asanas to build your endurance. Greater strength and stamina are required to hold the headstand pose. Start with shorter time duration and slowly extend the time limit to at least 5 minutes.

4. It is advisable to perform the Sirsasana in the daytime. Beginners can perform it against the wall.

Steps for Headstand Pose:

1. Start in a kneeling position on the floor. Set the forearms on the ground and interlock the fingers.
2. Place the top of the head against the fingers. Slowly lift the knees up and above.
3. Come into an upside-down position with knees close to the chest, heels raised and feet off the floor.
4. Straighten your legs one by one and keep them perpendicular to the ground.
5. Balance on the forearms.

Take a look at the inspiring health benefits of sirsasana:

1. Long and Rich Hair Locks: The inverted position of the headstand pose directs the flow of blood and nutrients to the scalp which strengthens the roots and nourishes the scalp. Get rich lustrous hair with Sirsasana.

2. Glowing Face: As you go upside-down in the Sirsasana, a face-lift is stimulated that lets your skin hang in the opposite direction. The reverse flow of gravity flushes nutrients and oxygen to the skin helping it find a natural glow and pink blush.

3. Efficient Internal Organs: In the headstand, the anti-gravity force works its magic on the internal system. The effect improves blood circulation to the internal organs helping them regain their optimal health and efficiency.

4. Strengthens the Heart: The inverted yoga asanas, especially the headstand pose help the venous flow of blood towards the heart which engorges with blood thus strengthening the heart muscles. “ With a healthy and strong heart, the beat goes on.”

5. Powers Apana Vayu: The Sirsasana gives power to the slack Apana Vayu-- meaning it encourages downward and outward flow of the energy. Simultaneously, the digestive fire gets activated, intestines get cleaned, and the congested blood is released into the colon, thus granting the practitioners an improved digestion.

6. Healthy Pituitary Glands: The Sirsasana stimulates and directs oxygenated blood to the pituitary and hypothalamus glands. These two glands are known as master glands that regulate thyroid, adrenal, and pineal glands vital for well-being.

7. Fights Depression: As the health of the adrenal glands are enhanced through detoxification in the headstand posture, people experience more positivity, and less depressing thoughts. Go upside-down with a smile and embrace more happiness as you come out of the asana.

8. Prevents Varicose Veins: Drain out (edema) fluid in the feet and improve blood circulation with the practice of Sirsasana thereby reducing the chances of developing varicose veins.

9. Manifest Strong Muscles: Sirsasana strengthens deep core muscles. The holding up of the body straight in the sirsasana engages obliques, rectus, and transverse abdominis (core) while strengthening them efficiently.

10. Reduce Ischemic Strokes: Scientific evidence shows that headstand decreases the incidence of ischemic strokes in regular Sirsasana practitioners.