Another way to be upside down

On Sunday in a moment of restlessness, I decided to do some headstands. There’s a yoga term for a headstand but I prefer to simply refer to it as a headstand. It’s a close cousin of the handstand that I wrote about here:

Upside down

Here are some of the purported benefits of the headstand that I found on an internet website (assume to be true at your own risk):

#1 - The headstand increases circulation to the brain, which causes improved brain function (intelligence and memory) and increased vitality and confidence.

#2 - It improves many ailments, such as nervousness, tension, fatigue, sleeplessness, dullness, fear, poor blood circulation, bad memory, asthma, headaches, constipation, congested throat, liver or spleen, for female disorders, the initial stages of eye and nose troubles, and general lack of energy, vitality or self confidence.

#3 - It stimulates four of the most important endocrine glands - the pituitary, the pineal, the thyroid, and the parathyroid glands that are responsible for our very existence, for they keep the body mechanism in good working order. Pituitary gland is called the master gland of the body. As a consequence, the practice of the headstand helps us to get relief from many of our troubles, physical as well as mental, or to prevent them. It has a very beneficial effect on the whole body.

#4 - It promotes hair growth by increasing circulation to the scalp.

#5 - It helps to put the spine into correct alignment.

#6 - It restores the position of vital organs by reversing gravity.

#7 - The quality of sleep is improved. Poor sleep is often due to an excess of nerve impulses from the reticular formation to the cerebral cortex in the brain. The headstand causes an increase in circulation to the neck, which stimulates the baroreceptors in the neck. This calms the reticular formation down, causing reduced nerve impulses to the cerebral cortex. This results in a peaceful, deep steep.

And here’s a video of my Sunday headstand session:

Give it a try. Use a wall for support if needed. The headstand is another way to be upside down.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum