Sanskrit: Sirsasana
SHEER-SHAH-sah-nah
Benefits
Strengthens spine, arms and legs
Stimulates pituitary and pineal glands;
brings fresh blood to brain
Revitalizes mind and senses
Standard Cues
Begin kneeling and place your elbows on the floor. Clasp the outsides of your elbows with opposite hands. Release your hands but don’t move your elbows – keep this distance throughout the pose. Interlace your fingers and place the pinky fingers on the floor.
Place the part of your head on the floor. Cup the back of your head with your hands. Curl your toes under, straighten your legs and walk your feet in toward you.
With an inhale, bring one knee into your chest, then the other. Straighten your legs toward the sky with an exhale.
Fix your gaze at one point to balance. Press your elbows and wrists into the floor.
Hold the pose and take slow, deep breaths. Lower your legs to the floor one at a time with an exhale.
Rest in Extended Child’s Pose for 30 seconds.
Note: Headstand should only be learned from a Yoga teacher. Always follow headstand with shoulderstand.
Short Cues and options
Press elbows and wrists into floor
Focus at one fixed point in front of you to balance
Draw ribs in
Draw shoulder blades toward sky
Precautionary Warnings
Avoid this pose if you have high blood pressure, headache, back or neck injury, glaucoma, or a heart condition.