Headstand for Ultimate Harmony, Health and Happiness

Little children love to place their heads on the ground and try to stand on them.  Usually they quickly topple over and then begin to laugh and do it again.  It is almost as if their souls know headstand is the place to be.

The reason there is so much conflict between individuals, groups and nations is simply because they fail to see things the same way.  Standing on your head is an amazing way to change your point of view.  It reminds you how easy it is to change your perspective when you literally change your perspective.  Happiness results when you understand that different people see the same thing in different ways.

Headstand or Sirsasana, as it is known in the ancient language of Sanskrit, is the king of all poses.  It is easy to understand why once you explore the benefits.  In a normal birth, it is the head that comes out first.  The skull encases the brain, which controls the nervous system and organs of sense.  The brain is responsible for intelligence, knowledge, discrimination, wisdom and power.  Just as a country cannot prosper without a king or constitutional head,  the body cannot prosper without a healthy brain.

Standing on your head allows healthy pure blood to flow through the brain cells.  The head is what brings harmony.  Fresh-oxygenated blood rejuvenates thinking power, bring clarity of mind.  It also provides blood to the pituitary and pineal glands in the brain, supporting growth, health and vitality.

Studies show that regular practice of headstands aid those suffering from loss of sleep, memory, impaired vision and loss of vitality.  Headstands strengthen the lungs as well as all the muscles of the body.

The greatest obstacle to practicing headstand is fear.  You are never too old to begin bringing fresh blood to your brain.  It is totally normal to feel disoriented and out of control on your head.  The fear is the fear of falling.  The best way to overcome fear is to face it with equanimity.  There will be a few spills and you can learn the art of falling.  When you learn to fall with confidence, you learn to walk with  confidence and live with Confidence.

Headstands teach us that two people can be looking at the same thing from a slightly different angle and see two totally different things. When you can comprehend the idea of different perspectives in regard to tangible things, it opens the gateway to understanding this concept in intangible things.  Politics and religion are not about right and wrong, but different points of view.  The same is true in raising children, marriage squabbles and office conflicts.

According to BKS Iyengar, regular and precise practice of headstand, develops the body, disciplines the mind and widens the horizons of the spirit.  Practice often and you will become balanced and self-reliant in pain and pleasure, loss and gain, shame and fame, defeat and victory.  Tune into your inner child and be prepared to topple!  Headstand is the way to Ultimate Harmony, Health and Happiness!

Come learn more about your mastering your mind and body Happy Healthy and Fit is joining Gracious Living in the Bahamas May 12-16th for a Yoga & Sports Course!
Namaste~