Sirsasana Yoga Pose (Headstand Pose)



Information on Yoga Asana Sirsasana (Headstand Yoga Pose) Meaning & Uses


Sirsasana is widely known among the yoga practitioners as Headstand Pose. It is also known as Shirshasana. The name of this asana is derived from the Sanskrit language words, Sir means head and asana means posture. It is to be highly noted that in the headstand supported asana, the entire body is fully inverted plus held upright with the support of the forearms and the crown of the head just rests gently on the ground. According to the yoga experts, this particular posture is known as the "King" of all the postures. Yoga practitioners can indulge in a variety of other asana in order to bring the required balancing act for Sirsasana and for building the upper body strength in all aspects.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Steps / Instructions / Procedure

Follow the following steps in order to complete the Sirsasana or Headstand Pose -

  1. Initially sit on your knees as in Vajrasana posture.

  2. Do interlock your fingers of both hands plus keep them in front on the yoga mat.

  3. Then place the head in to the hollow of your palms.

  4. Do lift slow and steadily both your legs upwards and place it straight.

  5. While practicing this asana, you can take the support of a wall or friend.

  6. Do ensure that the body is like a straight line from down to up.

  7. Normally breathe in this particular position for 25- 35 seconds.

  8. Then release the position by coming down to the floor by dropping the legs.

  9. Come to Vajrasana position again.

  10. Do repeat these steps for 3-4 times in a day.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Anatomical Focus

The anatomical focus of Sirsasana or Headstand Pose perfectly deals with head, neck, shoulders, chest, stomach, hips, waists, thighs, legs and feet.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Therapeutic Applications

The therapeutic application related to Sirsasana or Headstand Pose comes with several forms of glandular and nervous disorder, more over those related to the reproductive system. It is helpful for those who are suffering from varicose veins and anxiety. It is the best asana for anger management. It is highly recommended for the immediate prevention of hay fever, asthma, diabetes, headaches, menopausal imbalance and migraine.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Medical Health Benefits

There are many benefits of Shirshasana or Headstand Pose. Few of them are as follows -

  1. It increases blood circulation in brain.

  2. It perfectly improves brain function and memory.

  3. It immediately cures Insomnia.

  4. It improves digestion.

  5. It is really beneficial for people suffering with poor blood circulation, headache and liver diseases.

  6. It gives relief for spinal problems.

  7. It largely improves concentration.

  8. It perfectly relaxes the mind and body.

  9. It largely assists to improve mental balance.

  10. It is apt for increasing memory.

  11. It immediately releases anxiety in all aspects.

  12. It regulates and stimulates all the systems in the body.

  13. It improves the functions of the cerebrum.

  14. It helps in the elimination of metabolic/cellular wastes.

  15. It reduces the mental stress and physical strain.

  16. It helps to attain the power of balancing the whole body.

  17. It brings more flexibility to the body.

  18. It helps to keep the body cool and refreshed.

  19. It helps to improve concentration power.

  20. It brings more activeness to face the challenges in personal and professional life.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Contraindications and Cautions

The particular asana should be contraindicated all those who are suffering with high blood pressure or low blood pressure, glaucoma, heart palpitations, Brain diseases, detached retina, brain disease, conjunctivitis, brain injury, severe hypotension or hypertension, menstruation, hiatal hernia, neck injury, obesity, Arteriosclerosis, back injury, cough and cold, Chronic catarrh, heart disease, Excess weight, Chronic constipation, Osteoporosis, Pregnancy and menstruation, Conjunctivitis, Chronic glaucoma, migraine, head injuries, neck problem or Chronic or acute neck pain, Stiff neck, Kidney problems, Inflammation of the ears, Blood hemorrhage in the head, weak blood vessels in the eyes and Thrombosis should avoid practicing this asana.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Beginner's Tip

The beginner can perfectly indulge in this asana by taking the support of a wall or partner with a lot of perfection. The asana should be performed with extra care because there are chances of falling down to the ground in case if you loose your body balance.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Variations

The variations that can be brought about for Headstand Pose or Sirasasana are Salamba Shirshasana 2 or Headstand 2, Upavishtha Konasana Shirshasana or Seated Angle Pose in Headstand Salamba Shirshasana 3 or Headstand 3, Baddha Konasana Shirshasana or Bound Angle Pose in Headstand, Urdhva Padmasana in Sirsasana or Upward Lotus in Headstand, Baddha Hasta Shirshasana or Bound Hands Headstand, Mukta Hasta Shirshasana or Free Hands Headstand, Eka Pada Shirshasana or Single Leg Headstand, Parivrttaikapada Shirshasana or Single Leg Revolved Headstand, Parshvaikapada Shirshasana or Single Leg Headstand, Parshva Shirshasana or Side Headstand

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Modifications and Props

The best props that can be used for Sirsasana or Headstand Pose is the support of the wall. It largely helps to support the art of balancing the whole body to a great extent. It is to be remembered that certain modification can be brought in this asana through moving the upright placed legs in various types of leg exercises with perfectly balancing of the whole body.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Partnering

A partner plays an important role in Sirsasana or Headstand Pose because he or she can immediately catch the yoga practitioners when they are about to fall to the ground while losing the balance.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Preparatory Poses

The best preparatory poses related to Sirsasana or Headstand Pose is Dolphin pose which is an excellent all-rounder pose in order to strengthen the shoulders, arms, back and abdomen plus improve flexibility in the hips and waists. On the other hand, Ugrasana or ferocious pose and Sarwangasana or shoulder stand pose can be perfectly practiced in order to gain confidence plus get really used to the feeling of being rightly inverted. Merudandasana can be indulged to strengthening the arms and chakrasana, niralambha shalabhasana, noukasana (prone), niralambha bhujangasana can be indulged to strengthening the back. Moreover, Noukasana or supine can be performed for strengthening the abdomen. Other preparatory asana are paschimottansana, uttanpadasana, pawanmuktasana. vakrasana, ardha matsyendrasana.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Follow up Poses

The follow up poses of Shirshasana or Headstand Pose are fish pose and Shavasana.

Sirsasana (Headstand Pose) Deepen the Pose

It is to be highly noted that there is no need of any type of deepening of pose in this particular asana. It is mainly because this posture comes under the inverted poses in the yoga session. While indulging in this posture, beginners and regular yoga practitioners should take extra care from falling to the ground because of balancing issues. It is highly advised to indulge in this asana in the presence of your yoga instructor or partner. Beginners should indulge in this asana alone. It can be practiced in a yoga session with a lot of perfection wit full confidence.