Awesome Health Benefits Of Headstand

The headstand is considered the king of yoga poses because of its many benefits, which range from improved brain function and mood to increased upper-body strength. When done in correct alignment, many muscles are engaged, including those of the arms, upper back and core.

*Yogis Phuong Hoang wears a Ribber Set in a Headstand posing.

A headstand requires moderate shoulder strength and can be dangerous if the practitioner is not ready to support his or her own weight in an upside-down orientation. 

*Yogis Hai Yen wears a Cami Sunset in a Headstand posing.

TONES THE UPPER BODY
When a headstand is done properly, the body is supported primarily by the muscles of the shoulders and upper back. Contraction of the trapezius and deltoid muscles protect the head and neck in this posture.
When shoulders are too weak, headstands can be dangerous because they compress the vertebrae of the cervical spine, which can lead to permanent damage and pain.

RELIEVES STRESS
Headstand is known as a cooling posture, meaning that it helps you to draw your attention inwards. This posture is extremely helpful if you are having anxiety, stress, fear or otherwise worrisome thoughts. Combine headstand with long, slow breathing and you have a recipe for stress relief.

STRENGTHENS THE CORE
In order to hold a straight headstand, a practitioner must engage the abdominal muscles — including the obliques, the rectus abdominis and the transverse abdominis. 
A strong core can position hips directly over the chin and extend the hip flexors such that the legs are vertical. The core is strengthened particularly if the practitioner lifts or lowers both legs at once to come into and out of the headstand.

INCREASES FOCUS
When you turn upside down, you are increasing the blood flow to your brain. This can help to improve mental function, and increase your sense of focus.Along with helping to reduce fear and worry, this posture will improve your ability to keep your mind sharp and clear.

STRENGTHENS SHOULDERS AND ARM
While you are holding yourself up in a headstand, you should be pushing down into the ground with your forearms, utilizing the strength of your arms, shoulders and back to keep the pressure off of your head and neck. This is an awesome posture for improving upper body strength and muscular endurance.

IMPROVES DIGESTION
When you allow the effects of gravity to be reversed on your digestive organs, you will help to move stuck material, release trapped gases, as well as improve blood flow to the all important digestive organs - increasing nutrient absorption and delivery to your cells. Again, if you combine headstand with focused belly breathing you will have a double whammy effect.



THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE SHOULD NOT PRACTICE HEADSTAND: 
•    Children under the age of 7 years old, as their skull can still be soft and is prone to injuries
•    Pregnant women, because there is a high risk of falling out of the pose
•    People with Glaucoma, because it can increase the pressure in the eyes
•    People who suffer from acute or heavy migraines
•    People with shoulder or neck issues need to be fully recovered before attempting Headstand
•    People with hypertension, because it can aggravate the disorder
People with serious heart problems, osteoporosis