Asanas/Posture of the month:

Headstand is an experience of empowerment when accomplished, but until then can be scary!  You are quite literally turning your world upside down.  It is a radical change of perspective.  Yogis do come to enjoy this when they can do it with control, but learning that control is often an experience of moving into fear. Remember to do this with a teacher that you trust first. Please note that headstand should not be practiced if there are any neck/shoulder issues/pain, practice the prep version instead.

HEADSTAND PREP: this variation is appropriate for most everyone, especially beginners. You will need a wall. Come to hands and knees with feet at the wall, toes on the floor and elbows below shoulders. Place hands around the upper arms to make the elbows in the proper alignment. Then interlace the fingers and keep the heels of the hands together.

bring the chin into the chest and on an exhale lift the knees off of the ground into a sort of downward dog. Head is off of the ground and not touching the hands. Shoulders are lifted up keeping the neck long. Breath here for 5-10 breathes. If you feel strong here you may walk the feet up the wall halfway and straighten the knees so that the legs are parallel to the floor. Head is still off of the ground and off of the hands. Neck remains long and tractioning.

say for 5-10 breaths.

If you still feel strong here you may play with alternating lifting one foot then the other off of the wall and leg up. 5-10 breathes.

HEADSTAND/Sirsasana- Baddah Sirsasana 1 You may begin facing a wall, using the wall for support at first as needed. Come to hands and knees facing the wall. Drop the elbows down under the shoulders and interlace the fingers keeping the palms open, place hands about 6 inches from the wall, elbows in a little tight as the always want to wing out.

Bring the crown of your head in between you palms and wrap your hands around the back of your head. Lift the knees off of the ground with an exhale and walk the toes up toward your face until the hips come toward the wall while the shoulders remain lifted.  When you feel the wall closer lift the legs by coming into a tuck and the toes will lift or perhaps one leg at a time. When the legs are up you may rest them at the wall for support. Pushing the heels into the wall lengthen the tailbone up the shoulders keep lifting and push the forearms into the floor. These cues will help you to find the balance necessary to move the feet away from the wall and stand free.

Physical benefits: Headstand helps to develop the neck and shoulders. It also works the muscles of the core and the erectors.  It helps to reverse the adverse effects of gravity over time.  It gives the heart muscle a rest and aids in lymphatic drainage. It helps to clear the head of pain and fogginess and revitalizes the whole body. It is a great reset posture.

Spiritual benefits: As I stated above this is a pose that literally turns the world up side down. It is a radical change in perspective as it turns the world over. Headstand is extremely empowering, as it requires one move into and beyond fear.  One feels a sense of confidence and poise after regular practice.

It's finally here!