Hey! a few of our classes had been going thru the fabulous Head Stand with Chair (A practice from Iyerngar Yoga). Here are some of the pictures. Can you recognsied anyone of them?
This posture may look like imposing to those who haven’t attempted it. Nevertheless, it is an extremely powerful asana. It is called the "king of asanas" because of its overall effect on the whole body.
Benefits
*Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
*Stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands
*Strengthens the arms, legs, and spine
*Strengthens the lungs
*Tones the abdominal organs
*Improves digestion
*Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
*Therapeutic for asthma, infertility, insomnia, and sinusitis
Contraindications and Cautions
*Back injury, Headache,Heart condition,High blood pressure,Menstruation,Neck injury
*Low blood pressure: Don't start practice with this pose
*Pregnancy: If you are experienced with this pose, you can continue to practice it late into pregnancy. However, don't take up the practice of Sirsasana after you become pregnant.
*Sirsasana is considered to be an intermediate to advanced pose. Do not perform this pose without sufficient prior experience or unless you have the supervision of an experienced teacher. Some schools of yoga recommend doing Sirsasana before Sarvangasana, others vice versa. The instruction here assumes the former order.
Beginner's Tip
Beginners tend to take too much weight onto the neck and head when coming into and exiting this pose, a potentially harmful situation. Prepare to do this pose as described above against a wall. To come up, set your arms in place and lift your head slightly off the floor. Move into the wall-supported position with the head off the floor, then lower it lightly onto the floor. Support 90 to 95 percent of your weight on your shoulders and arms, even if it means staying for only a few seconds. Gradually, over time, take more and more weight onto your head, but proceed slowly. Similarly, when you exit this pose, first lift your head off the floor, then bring your feet down. Eventually you will be able to keep your head on the floor when going up and coming down.
