By: Indian Foundation of Scientific Yoga

Yoga Headstand

Yogasana the third limb of Raja Yoga also popularly understood by mass population as yoga is getting popular as never before in both eastern and western countries. The reason for Yogasana (popularly know as Yoga) to gain popularity are numerous ranging from releasing stress to flexibility to helping patient suffering from various disease. Although the initial objective of Yogasana (Yoga) in Raja Yoga was different however the ability of yoga to help patient with various ailment is really praisworthy.

While many organization like MD Anderson and VYASA in this direction are doing commendable job in scientific way however Various Yoga gurus like Swami Ramdev Ji and others in country like India are making it a mockery in the name of helping people to get rid of their diseases by teaching yoga science to mass people through TV channel. The trend has been stablished for teaching same yoga exercise to mass people in camp of thousands of people with different body condition and without personal observing how each person is following it.

Yoga postures like headstand have various benefits. The Headstand known as the King of all asanas have tremendous benefits for the body and the mind. All our physical and mental activities are governed by the brain which is the seat of intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, discrimination and power. As the Headstand increases the blood flow to the brain it revitalises the entire body and the mind and also regenerates the nervous system.

Practice of this asana provides the feeling of equilibrium and well-being and it increases memory and concentration. The Headstand inverts the pattern of blood pressure in the body – increasing it in the head and dropping it in the feet:

• The blood pressure at the top of the head increases from 100/60 mm Hg in a standing position to 150/110 mm Hg in the Headstand.

• The blood pressure of the feet in a standing position will be about 210/170 mm Hg and it will drop to 40/0 mm Hg in the Headstand.The blood pressure will remain the same at 120/80 mm Hg at heart level.

Yoga like every other science is also a precise science and even though yoga posture headstand is very healthy for some people however the same may not hold good for other people. There are many health conditions in which it is suggested that headstand is not recommended.

Here are the following three situation out of many, when one should not do yoga posture headstand:

• However, one of the most important reasons for not coming to the Headstand is when you have High Blood Pressure.

• Another reason to avoid the Headstand is when you have weak eye blood vessels or any eye problems. By ignoring your conditions you put your health at risk.

• Headstand is better avoided during menstruation and pregnancy.

Issued in interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

Indian Foundation of Scientific Yoga and Stress Management

Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London. For more information www.subodhgupta.com London (UK).