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Breathing: Inhale at the end of stage 1.
Retain the breath inside while raising the body into the final position. Beginners may practise normal breathing while coming into the posture.
Breathe normally in the final position. The breath should become increasingly subtle in this posture as one becomes accustomed to it.
Duration: Beginners should start by holding the pose for 30 seconds, gradually adding about 1 minute per week until the desired period is reached. 3 to 5 minutes spent in the final position is sufficient for general health, however, sirshasana may be practised by experts for periods of up to 30 minutes.
Awareness: Physical - for beginners, on maintaining balance. For adepts, on the brain, centre of the head or respiration. Spiritual on sahasrara chakra.
Sequence: While beginners should practise sirshasana at the end of their asana programme, more experienced practitioners may perform it either at the beginning or the end. It should be followed by tadasana, as a counterpose, and then shavasana.
Contra-indications: Sirshasana should not be practised by people with high blood pressure, heart disease, thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, chronic catarrh, chronic constipation, kidney problems, impure blood, severe near-sightedness, weak eye blood vessels, conjunctivitis, chronic glaucoma, inflammation of the ears or any form of blood haemorrhage in the head; neither should it be practised during pregnancy or menstruation. Although it is recommended as a preventative measure for headache or migraine, it should not be practised during either.
Benefits: This asana is very powerful for awakening sahasrara chakra and, therefore, it is considered the greatest of all
asanas.
Sirshasana increases the blood flow to the brain and pituitary gland, revitalising the entire body and mind. It relieves anxiety and other psychological disturbances which form the root cause of many disorders. It is, therefore,
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| SR No. | 009366 |
| Book Title | Asan Pranayam Mudra Bandh |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Satyanand Saraswati Swami |
| Publisher | Yoga Publication Trust |
| Publication Year | 2002 |
| Total Pages | 560 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Classification | Book_Devnagari |
| File Size | 5 MB |