Supported Headstand I
Salamba Sirsasana I
Supported Headstand I stacks the body over a cupped forearm tripod so the nervous system can settle while the king of asanas channels clarity and poise.
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How to Perform
- 1
Fold a blanket, kneel, and lace the fingers with elbows shoulder-width to build a stable forearm triangle.
- 2
Nestle the crown into the hands, press forearms down, and tuck toes to lift the knees from the floor.
- 3
Walk the feet in until hips hover over shoulders, then draw both knees toward the chest without jumping.
- 4
On an exhale, extend both legs to vertical, knitting the ribs and pressing inner thighs together for balance.
- 5
Maintain quiet breathing for up to five minutes, then lower through the leg stages, rest in Child's Pose, and let pressure normalize.
Benefits
- Bathes the brain and endocrine system in fresh circulation to sharpen focus.
- Strengthens shoulders, upper back, and deep core for inversion stability.
- Builds emotional steadiness by training measured effort in an unfamiliar orientation.
Alignment Cues
- Elbows stay no wider than shoulders to protect the neck
- Neck stays long with chin slightly toward sternum
- Pelvis stacks directly above shoulders for a vertical line
- Weight remains mostly in forearms with a light imprint on the head
Common Mistakes
No common mistakes listed.
Contraindications
- • Uncontrolled hypertension, glaucoma, or retinal pathology
- • Recent cervical spine, shoulder, or brain injury
- • Pregnancy after first trimester unless long-term inversion practitioner