Be certain of your physical abilities and limitations before attempting any yoga pose, and seek clearance from your physician if you are uncertain. Always respect your body and know your limits.

Yoga Headstand Pose

Salamba Sirsasana

*Notice:* Headstand can be a wonderful pose for some yogis, although there are risks of injury. A qualified yoga teacher should be present whenever learning headstand and weight of the body should not be placed on the head or neck (see below). NEVER place weight on head, NEVER turn your head while in headstand, and NEVER “kickup” into headstand as you my lose balance or cause injury

Precautions and contraindications for headstand – Salamba Sirsasana Pose: Inversions are not recommended to yogis who are pregnant, have glaucoma, detached retinas, high blood pressure, spinal issues, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, extreme nearsightedness, infections of the ear, sinus infections, the flu or any respiratory infections, or excess weight.

• Inhale, begin in front of and facing a wall for safety, on hands and knees.
• Exhale, place forearms on floor with fingers interlocked.
• Inhale, check to see if you can bring your head between your arms WITHOUT touching head to floor. If your shoulders are too tight or your arms are too weak, you should wait and improve those ares.
• Exhale, if all is good, come to balls of feet, so you are now in dolphin pose, which is like downward facing dog on you forearms.
• Inhale, with awareness to be sure no wait is on head, only arms.
• Exhale, slowly walk feet towards head. If you cannot walk your feet close enough to your hands to begin to balance on your arms, you are not ready yet and will need to improve back body flexibility.
• Inhale, if you have made it to a place where you have shifted your weight to the arms with feet still on floor, SLOWLY lift ONE leg towards ceiling.
• Exhale, finding balance and foundation on arms only SLOWLY lift other leg. One or both feet may be touching wall for support.
• Hold for 1-3 breathes when learning headstand, then SLOWLY, return ONE leg to floor, the then other leg, keeping weight off head then bend knees and return to hands and knees.
• Congratulations on learning Yoga Headstand Pose – Salamba Sirsasana