Comments on: Sirsasana – Headstand Yoga Pose

By: MotleyHealth

MotleyHealth — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:20:12 +0000

On its own, no, but as part of a healthy lifestyle, with good diet and regular exercise, yoga is a great way to manage weight.

By: pavan

pavan — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:29:39 +0000

do sirsasana help with losing weight ?

By: Gina

Gina — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:28:17 +0000

Hi there
I have recently started to do the headstand every day for about 10 minutes. I usuall do my yoga practice about 4.30 every afternoon. This seems the best time for me as I live self sufficiently on a scottish mountain. The rest of the day is tied up with living!!
What I have noticed since increasing the time an frequency of the headstand is that I cant seem to sleep. I am wide awake like I have drunk tonnes of coffee. Is this because of the headstand and the alertness that it brings and should I try to do it in the morning somehow? I wondered if this is a known occurance with this posture or is it all just a coincidence. Thanks, best wishes Gina

By: Christine

Christine — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:05:44 +0000

I have glaucoma, and wondered if Downdog would increase eye pressure? I know that Sirsasana and other head stands increase pressure and I have stopped those. Just wondered about Down Dog??
Thank you

By: Suresh

Suresh — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:59:54 +0000

thank you, adriano told me that there is no harm for holding this posture. you know what i m thinking that i will increase the time of holding posture till i reach to 2 hours.sir one thing I have to ask that possiblity to do other asna after sirsasna become less when we do this. posture becoz this postue require more time to give resting the body equal the same time of holding the posture.

By: Adriano

Adriano — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:39:51 +0000

Hi Suresh, Its been a little over 3 months since I started practicing Sirasana. I’m up to about an hour a day and have enjoyed more benefits the longer I practice each day. I concentrate on this pose because I am unable to do many of the other poses because of physical limitations. If I could, I would certainly devote time to all the other poses, sequences, etc. Wish you success in your practice!
Adriano

By: Marcia

Marcia — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:03:15 +0000

Hi Suresh,

If you are ok with this posture you can hold it for as long as you can without discomfort.

By: MotleyHealth

MotleyHealth — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:53:18 +0000

Hi Suresh, the recommendation for Sirasana is to hold for at least 24 breaths, and hold for as long as it is comfortable thereafter. If it is comfortable and you are not experiencing and pain during or after then you can hold for as long as you like.

By: Suresh

Suresh — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:42:05 +0000

I am 23 yrs old. I do sirsasasna for 45 minute in the morning. please tell me maximum time to hold the pose. If i do like this regularly. Is there any harm to me holding a posture. sir i had read in shivananda yoga book. If a person hold this pose for 2 or 3 hours. he will get maximum benifits from this.

By: MotleyHealth

MotleyHealth — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:17:41 +0000

There are just different ways to practice yoga. Ashtanga is a very energetic way, with sequences of postures performed repeatedly. These forms provide a great physical workout. Taking more time on a few postures helps to increase the internal health and mental benefits more so.

By: Adriano

Adriano — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:57:49 +0000

Thanks very much for the great advise! Could I ask if it is good to practice both the shoulder stand and headstand? I was reading they are called the queen and king of yoga postures and that they have different benefits. I do the headstand now for about 10 minutes 2x a day now and I have felt more alert and clear and more energetic.
My other question is that I’ve noticed there are very many postures and that most people try to practice as many as they can and at a much faster pace like on the yoga shows on tv. So they don’t practice one or two for long periods and almost seem like they are hurrying in their practice. I was wondering about this and if it might be better to practice one or two poses mainly and try to master them and get their deeper benefits? Thanks very much for the help!

By: MotleyHealth

MotleyHealth — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:53:29 +0000

Adriano, the best suggestion is to take it easy to start with, and listen to your body. Do not expect to match what the ancient yogis accomplished in a hurry! As for the glaucoma, one instance is not enough to be worried about. By all means check it out with your optician first though.

By: Adriano

Adriano — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 04:14:07 +0000

I’m 50 year old male who is just beginning practicing the headstand. I use a headstand chair which allows me to do the headstand with no pressure on my head or neck. I’ve read about the many benefits but am unclear about how long to practice the headstand. It seems like a mere 5 or 10 minutes would have little benefit. I read how early writings by yogis have said that 3 hours a day would have great benefits. Of course one would have to work up to that amount of time I’m sure. Finally, does the headstand hold a risk of glaucoma? I found one article, a study of one woman who developed glaucoma. She practiced the headstand for several years. But I havn’t heard of this happening to anyone else. Any advise appreciated.

By: hanif

hanif — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:09:17 +0000

Thank you so very much for your prompt reply. Well my neck does hurt but its not unbearable, but I will sure consult a yoga teacher and get my posture sorted… thanks once again..

also I would like to know where is your school based? warm regards.

By: MotleyHealth

MotleyHealth — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:06:36 +0000

Hello Hanif,
If your neck is hurting, then you need to review your posture. You should ensure that your arms are actually supporting most of your weight, and that the crown of your head is touching the floor, to ensure proper alignment. It is likely that the discomfort is a combination of poor alignment and too much pressure on the spine (neck).

If possible, find a experienced practitioner to check your posture. If the pain continues, then you really should consider shortening the time, or stopping altogether. The health benefits of sirasana are not worth the risk of developing long term neck problems.

If you can hold your body weight on your lower arms, you could do the Scorpion pose instead. Which is similar to the Headstand, but the head does not touch the floor, so there is no pressure on the neck. The elbow alignment is the same as in the Headstand, but the lower arms are perpendicular to the wall. With just the lower arms on the floor you raise the body up in the same way as in the Headstand. You can keep the body upside down on a straight line with the head facing the floor or you can bend the feet down towards the head creating a backbend, the knees separate, but the toes are kept together. If you do the full posture you can use a wall for balance when you bring the feet down towards the head. You will need a bigger gap to allow space to curve the legs down. If you feel any discomfort, then come out of the posture.