20. Headstand

Starting position

Kneeling down.

Positioning

Clasp or enlace your fingers, put your forearms down to the ground almost paralell from the distance of your shoulders. Place the top of your head softly in your hands and let front of your forehead touch the ground; like this you don’t put too much weight on your neck or head. Start lifting your bottom and bent knees by the force of your abdomen- and backmuscles. When your backbone is straight, straighten your legs.

In position

Stay as long as it is not unpleasant for you, breathe slowly from abdomen.

Releasing

Slowly and carefully let your legs down, back into kneeling position, then rest for ten more seconds in lying position to return your bloodflow to normal.

Impacts

The oxygen-rich blood, flowing into your brain, carries lots of ‘prana’ and energy. Your brain doesn’t get enough oxygen during the day, because it’s always on the top, nor in the evening because it’s up high on pillows. Sense organs, ears, eyes, the nose, the mouth, the Adams Apple, the glands, the thyroid and the top of your lungs will be cleansed, revitalized, and the heart released from torpor. Brain related nerve centres which are semi-inactive will open, and you will stimulate abilities which you didn’t know about before.

Pay attention to!

It is forbidden to practice headstand (head down, body above) ‘asana’ positions if you have high blood pressure, but with regular breathing exercises your appropriate blood flow speed will readjust over time.

At the beginning hold this position only for ten seconds.