Niralamba Sirshasana – Unsupported Headstand Pose In Yoga

Niralamba Sirshasana (unsupported headstand pose) is an inverted yoga pose. It is a part of the Inverted group of asanas mentioned in the book “Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati. Niralamba Sirshasana focuses on reversing the action of gravity on the body; instead of everything being pulled towards the feet, the orientation shifts towards the head. Inverted asanas have many amazing benefits.

How to do Niralamba Sirshasana – Unsupported Headstand Pose In Yoga

Stage I : 

• Assume marjari-asana.
• Place the crown of the head on the blanket between the hands.
• Straighten the arms in front of the chest and place the hands flat on the floor about shoulder width apart.
• Straighten the legs, allowing the weight of the body to be supported by the hands, feet and head.

Stage 2 : 

• Progressively walk the feet towards the head, keeping the legs straight, until the trunk is vertical.
• Applying pressure on the hands, slowly bend the legs and raise the feet off the floor, bringing the knees to the chest.

Stage 3: 

• Slowly raise the knees until they point upward. Maintain balance in this position for a few moments. 
• Gradually straighten the knees until the feet point upwards in a relaxed position.
• In the final pose the whole body is vertical and, ideally, all the weight of the body is supported by the head.
• The hands should only provide balance.
• Hold the final pose for as long as is comfortable.

Stage 4: 

• Return to the starting position.
• Lower the body in the reverse order until the feet touch the floor.
• Place the hands beside the head and bend the knees to the floor.
• Relax with the head on the floor for a short time.

Breathing pattern while doing Niralamba Sirshasana – Unsupported Headstand Pose In Yoga

• Retain the breath inside while assuming the final position. Breathe normally in the final position.
• Retain the breath inside while lowering the body.

Benefits of doing Niralamba Sirshasana – Unsupported Headstand Pose In Yoga

• This asana is very powerful for awakening sahasrara chakra and therefore it is considered the greatest of all asanas.
• Sirshasana revitalizes the entire body and mind. It relieves anxiety and other psychological disturbances which form the root cause of many disorders such as asthma, hay fever, diabetes and menopausal imbalance.
• It also helps to rectify many forms of nervous and glandular disorder, especially those related to the reproductive system.
• This asana reverses the effect of gravity on the body. Strain on the back is thus alleviated and the reversed flow of blood in the legs and visceral regions aids tissue regeneration.
• The weight of the abdominal organs on the diaphragm encourages deep exhalation so that larger amounts of carbon dioxide are removed from the lungs.

Precautions while doing Niralamba Sirshasana – Unsupported Headstand Pose In Yoga

• Sirshasana should not be practised by people with neck problems, headache or migraine, high blood pressure, heart disease, thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, chronic catarrh, chronic constipation, kidney problems, impure blood, severe near-sightedness, weak blood vessels in the eye, conjunctivitis, chronic glaucoma, inflammation of the ears or any form of blood haemorrhage in the head. 
• It should not be practised during pregnancy or menstruation.