Yoga is a powerful vehicle for change. As you build strength you start to believe in your own potential ~ Tiffany Cruikshank
Firstly, safety is paramount and there are various medical reasons why inversions may not be safe for everyone. It is always best to seek your Doctor's advice in advance.
Due to their physical stage of development, children aged seven years and under should NOT perform headstands.
If you have assurance it is safe for you, then turning your world upside down can teach you so much about yourself, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too.
Achieving headstand, known as King of Asanas requires full body strength, but especially your core, lats, serratus anterior (the muscles that are below your shoulder blades) and your triceps. You'll also use skills such as coordination, balance and mental fortitude.
Despite it sounding or feeling impossible, it really is a very meaningful and worthwhile journey to be continuously savoured.
Besides the amazing reconnection to childlike playfulness that is inside us all, the physical challenges of inversions give us a valuable insight into our strength, balance and proprioception, learning to understand body alignment and where our limbs are in relation to the space around us.
An exquisite, union of mind, body and breath. A feeling of freedom, triumph and heartfelt joy.
Through a consistent practice of these new skills, our brain gains a deeper understanding of ourselves and the never ending possibilities of our body.
Emotionally, the journey to standing on your head can be extreme. I've confronted feelings of frustration, fear and at times defeat, counterbalanced with determination, resilience and happiness. The challenge of learning this new skill has changed my perspective of the world and was full of highs and lows.
The reality of facing fears took time and acceptance. Progress was unpredictable, surprisingly rapid at times and frustratingly slow at others.
Patience and consistency continue to be key in me achieving confident headstands. I practice for a short while every day. These all add up, and there is a truth to the saying, there is no such thing as a bad practice.
You know yourself better than anyone, and you'll know when you're ready to progress to more advanced poses, so trust in yourself, treat yourself with ahimsa and don't be led astray by your ego.
Practicing safely is vital to keep you injury free and overcome your fears.
Start near a wall, if necessary place cushions around you, then practice falling out in a controlled way. Accept each stage of the process, feeling into all of the wobbles.
We all start at the beginning. Enjoy the journey, no matter where you are, for it is exactly where you're meant to be.
Don't forget to have fun, be sure to celebrate your successes along the way!
Remember, the secret to progression is practice, practice, practice.
Our greatest glory is not never falling, but in rising every time we fall ~ Confucius
Be kind and go with the flow.
Jo X
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