What are the benefits of headstand? Regardless of the style or level of yoga your practice, inversions revitalize and rejuvenate your whole system.
Weary of incessantly pumping blood through its vast circulatory network, the heart falters.
In a 1992 Yoga International article on Headstand and the circulatory system, Coulter wrote: “If you can remain in an inverted posture for just 3 to 5 minutes, the blood will not only drain quickly to the heart, but tissue fluids will flow more efficiently into the veins and lymph channels of the lower extremities and of the abdominal and pelvic organs, facilitating a healthier exchange of nutrients and wastes between cells and capillaries.” According to Sivananda ” Sirshasana(headstand) is really a blessing and a nectar.
” The Four Systems Endocrine System The headstand a favorable reconditioning effect on endocrine gland secretion, to enable it to withstand greater stress and strain.
The blood circulation to the brain is improved in Sirsasana; the sluggish cells are rejuvenated and the brain being the seat of intelligence is stimulated.
In particular, Headstand provides refreshed blood and bathes and nourishes the hypothalamus, pineal gland and the pituitary gland.
According to author Elaine N. Marieb, “The important factor stretching cardiac muscle is the amount of blood returning to the heart and distending its ventricles”(Human Anatomy & Physiology 4th edition, Benjamin/Cummings Science Publishing, 1998 p 679.) Inversions use gravity to bring more blood to the heart – turning yourself upside down encourages venous return.
The heart works persistently to ensure that freshly oxygenated blood makes its way up to the brain and its sensory organs.
When inverting, the pressure differential across the body is reversed, and blood floods to the brain with little work from the heart.
Headstand allows a plentiful supply of oxygen-rich blood to reach your head and brain – Increasing the blood flow through the brain cells increases your thinking power, clarity, memory, concentration, and the sensory faculties and moreover minimises brain tissues do not degeneration.
This is due to the rejuvenation of the brain cells with fresh blood and O2. Lymphatic System The headstand also importantly increases circulation and drainage of lymphatic fluid.
Lymph, like the blood returning to your heart via the veins, is dependent upon muscular movement and gravity to facilitate its return.
Because the lymphatic system is a closed pressure system and has one-way valves that keep lymph moving towards the heart, when one turns upside down, the entire lymphatic system is stimulated, thus strengthening your immune system.
Nervous System Headstand stimulates the nervous system.
The most important aspect of inverted poses is to soak the brain with blood for a fixed period of time which never happens in other systems of exercises.
According to Dr Raman: “This rejuvenates the brain cells and prevents age related cerebral atrophy. Senile changes in brain are prevented. And as mentioned before ischemic strokes can be completely prevented as the blood supply is enhanced without pressure.” Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression.
Unless we take a good, deep breath, we do not raise the ration of air to blood in the lower lungs.
When we invert, blood perfuses the well-ventilated upper lobes of the lungs, thus ensuring more efficient oxygen-to-blood exchange and healthier lung tissue, oxygen consumption and blood flow.
By reversing the pull of gravity on the organs, especially the intestines, it helps to cleanse them by releasing congested blood in the jejunum and colon.
Fresh warm blood invigorates the cells and overcome problems of the liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines and reproductive system.
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