In a world of hurries and worries, all of us aim at achieving peace and health. Whereas gyming can provide you with physical fitness, it still lacks in helping people achieve mental peace and sound mental wellness. To give your body a sound mental and physical health, you must resort to yoga and observe its performance, including the various asanas. One of such exercises is headstand, also known as shirshasana. 

What is a Headstand or Shirshasana?

Headstand is one of the best asanas and exercises in the realm of fitness exercises and yoga asanas. Originated in India, this exercise has transgressed all the borders of this world and is performed by every fitness freak. The reason it enjoys the upper hand than all other counterparts is that it not only brings you physical fitness but also bestows mental peace on those of you who perform it in their daily routine. Despite the challenge it comes along, it is the most widely done exercise because of the fitness benefits it provides. 

What happens when you do a Headstand?

Because of all the hype around headstand, you must be wondering and asking why they are so beneficial. Let’s see the reason behind then. When you invert your body while doing a headstand the blood also reverses, changing the blood flow and pressure in your head, legs, neck, legs and all over your body. The pressure in your head increases, as compared to the rest of your body, with the blood flow.

The change in the blood pressure makes your body undergo changes in order to maintain balance or homeostasis, thus creating a ripple effect. 

What are the Benefits of Headstand?

The king of asanas has many benefits that will definitely make you want to inculcate in your daily lifestyle. Let us have a brief look at some of the headstand benefits.

1. Strengthens arms and shoulders

Due to the virtue of its position, it provides great flexibility and strength to your arms and shoulders. When one is in the inverse positions, the entire balance is maintained by the arms and shoulders instead of your legs and back, which fortifies your upper body more. 

2. Improves the blood circulation of the body

Another big benefit of headstand is that it greatly affects and improves the body’s blood circulation. Its regular practice facilitates pure blood flow into the brain cells and the head, thereby making it more active. 

3. Reduces the risk of hair fall

What are the causes of hair fall? The major cause that heads the list of causes is the insufficient blood flow to the scalp (cerebrum).  Thus, headstand helps in improving the circulation and decreasing the hair fall and premature greying and balding. 

4. Improves mental health 

This is the best headstand benefit that has made it quite famous than other exercises. It improves concentration, alertness and mental clarity. Also, keeps up your mood if you do it regularly. 

5. Improves eyesight

The sufficient and proper blood flow during the headstand activates your sensory nerves and makes them work more efficiently, thus improving the eye vision.

6. Strengthens your core

The middle part is the core part while you perform headstand every day. The engagement of the abdominal muscles plays a great role in strengthening your back and the abdominal area.

7. Improves the digestion

Every other person is suffering from constipation or any stomach-related problems due to the sedentary lifestyle we all live. Due to the inverted position of the body, the pituitary organ that facilitates healthy and proper digestion gets activated. So, if you suffer from bowel disorder or any other sickness, try headstands as they change and reorient the direction of the movement.

Read : 16 Food items that boosts your energy

8. Prevents sexual disorders

This exercise supplies and drains blood to various sexual organs that help in the treatment and prevention of many sexual disorders. It also prevents disorders like spermatorrhea, leucorrhea and many other sexual ailments.

9. Fights against cough and cold 

By improving blood circulation and changing and maintaining blood pressure in the lungs, it prevents common cough and cold from happening. 

Who Should not Perform a Headstand? 

Yes, everyone can perform a headstand but it lays down certain conditions. There are some conditions in which performing a headstand can only be harmful, but can also turn fatal. Let us learn about some of the conditions in which one must stay a miles away from performing it before we learn about how to do it and act upon it. 

1. Children under seven must never be allowed to perform a headstand under any circumstances.
2. People suffering from glaucoma must not perform it puts pressure on eyes.
3. If you suffer from migraine or cervical, refrain from doing it.
4. If you have any muscle spasms or shoulder or neck injuries, don’t perform until they are healed.
5. Suffering from hypertension? Avoid this exercise.
6. People with a weak heart or those who have other cardiac problems should not do a handstand.
7. If you suffer osteoporosis, then avoid headstand at all costs.

How To Do a Headstand?

1. Sit in a child pose for 10-15 seconds.
2. Place your hands above the head from the child position and align your elbows with your shoulders.
3. Keeping the hands in this position brings them down to the mat.
4. The part of the head that must be on the ground while starting is the tip of the hairline and not the whole head at once.
5. Tie your hand by interlacing your fingers keeping the thumbs free and palms open.
6. Slowly and steadily straighten your legs and lift up your hips.
7. Walk with your feet and your knees towards the head.
8. Hold on to this position for a few seconds.
9. Now, straighten away your legs in the air.

These were the 9 simple steps that can help you do a headstand, but you have to be very careful about the positions of each step while you perform it. The best is to do it under supervision until you are experienced enough to do alone.  

Also Read: Headstand Benefits For Eyes, Face & Hair