Sunday, September 6, 2009

Inverted Poses


B.K.S. Iyengar- "You must savor the fragrance of a posture. Until you are relaxed, you cannot savor the fragrance."

The inverted poses revitalize the whole system. They take the weight off the legs, relieving strain. By inverting the inner organs, they activate parts that are sluggish. They improve circulation and tone the glandular system. They help concentration as blood is brought to the brain, and are a marvelous aid to sleep. Sirsasna (headstand) in particular activates the pituitary gland. Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) strengthens the nervous system and the emotions; it activates the thyroid and parathyroid glands.

There should be no strain in the head, eyes, ears, neck, or throat.

As the head is delicate, Sirsasana should always be done on a blanket. The blanket should be firm, not spongy. It is not advisable to repeat Sirsasana as this irritates the brain and nerves.

In Sarvangasana, the neck should always be soft and relaxed. If the position is done flat on the floor, there is a tendency for the neck to collapse and to feel pressure. To avoid this, the shoulders and elbows should be supported on folded blankets, the height of which should be varied according to the length and suppleness of the neck.

Sirsasana, if practiced by itself, can produced a feeling of irritability, which is soothed by Sarvangasana, so should always be followed by it. Remove contact lenses.

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