sirsasana/ headstand

Sirsasana 1  +  2

( headstand )

  

So when I heard we were doing a headstand work shop I was quietly optimistic…

well lets face it…it was better than paper work!!!

Plus I actually enjoy doing them and I really want to improve my posture/alignment 

I prefer to do it tripod style ( 2 ) and find the other option really difficult ( so I guess I should be practising that one, but I think for now I will try to perfect my favourite one )

Class started with a few warm up poses, concentrating on specific body parts that would be involved in headstands.

Obviously avoiding over working and fatiguing  said parts

Core and shoulders/back need to be warm.

Downward facing dog to warm and stretch back and shoulders/neck and engage core.

Plank also good warm up, again warming shoulders/core.

Stretch into extended tadasana to stretch through shoulders/arms/neck/engage abs/stretch and lengthen through legs and engage glutes.

crow pose is also good to warm body in prep for headstand.

 

for beginners or those who prefer support, this may be practised by a wall.

Keeping elbows shoulder-width apart, place hands on mat, palms down, fingers wide, making sure that pinkies are touching the ground. Place head on the ground and push lightly into hands. Tuck toes, lift hips for headstand prep. Breathe here for 5 deep breaths or until comfortable to move to the next step.

Walk feet in as close to elbows as possible and then, one at a time, lift heels close to butt. Breath here for at least 5 deep breaths or as long as is comfortable.

When you feel stable and ready, start to extend feet straight up over shoulders and hips until legs are long. You can point or flex feet. Breathe and enjoy the challenge

Benefits include: increased blood flow/nutrients/oxygen to head/face/scalp

Increases focus/relieves stress/improves digestion/stimulates lymphatic system

Strengthens shoulders/arms/develops core strength

Hold for 1-5 mins depending on your ability. This can be done every day.

I read somewhere that it can prevent hair going grey...

so onwards and upside down it is 😉

DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS IF YOU HAVE NECK ISSUES WITHOUT PROFFESIONAL ADVISE

Another Inspiration

Good morning beautiful people..







That said..we should aspire to make the most of TODAY......
On that note ...I would like to share with you ANOTHER INSPIRATION
#Jean Dawson is 100 years old and still goes to her yoga classes!!

Jean Dawson practises #Iyengar Yoga which is characterized by the focus on  body alignment and by the use of yoga props such as yoga blocks and belts. Mrs Dawson says that yoga helped her cure her back pains and gave her better flexibility and stamina.

This amazing lady was still practising headstands and shoulder stands at the age of 97..

but unfortunately had to stop due to blood pressure...

I think the most amazing fact of this story is that Jean didnt start yoga until she was  67 after seeing an ad about it in her neighbourhood,  and credits it for her health and longevity.

“I don’t know how I would be today if I hadn’t taken up Iyengar Yoga. It has given me good posture, balance, concentration, flexibility and stamina,” reported Jean

Well I dont know about you....but if its good enough for Jean ..its good enough for me...so share her story with all your treasured family members...including those silver foxes, aunts, uncles,granma's ( my category 😉) granpa's, mothers and fathers right now...

You know it makes sense....

The moral of the story?

Namaste