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Re: Headstands - questions
 

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janaki Views: 1,621
Published: 19 y
 
This is a reply to # 590,387

Re: Headstands - questions


Hi Invincible,

It's difficult to give specific advice on headstand without seeing you, but I can offer a bit that might help.

First, alignment is crucial. If the headstand is something you plan to do long-term, make sure you're doing it properly. You should work with an experienced yoga teacher, and ask them to check your alignment carefully. You should be resting squarely in the middle of your head, not towards the forehead. The bulk of the weight should be on your elbows and forearms. Because you say you are working against a wall, which I do NOT recommend, I wonder if you are relying on the wall a bit, and not placing enough weight on forearms? I also wonder whether your elbows are too wide apart. They should be no wider than shoulder width. Be sure that your head and neck are straight, often people turn a little to one side, and that the weight is even between both arms. Also, is this blanket just under your head or under your whole structure (hands, forearms, elbows)? I have seen people just put a blanket under the top of their head and I would not recommend this. Everything should be at the same level; if you need extra padding, make it big enough for your whole "seat" or supporting structure. Are you using a proper yoga mat on top of the carpet?

I do not recommend practicing against a wall, because if you fall you can hurt yourself. In the middle of the room with a good big space is better. Also aforementioned reliance.

You mention hurting your shoulder. You also say that you practice Ashtanga Yoga. Do you do a lot of Chaturanga Dandasana in your class? Do you do your practice regularly? The reason I ask is because most ashtanga classes emphasize chaturanga dandasana. I practice a very classical hatha yoga where we do only a modified version of this one (with knees down). Once in a blue moon when I do an ashtanga practice, for days afterward I have pain in the shoulder and cannot do headstand properly, just due to doing chaturanga. If you are doing a daily ashtanga practice your body will adjust and you should be fine. But I do find if you are not accustomed to it, chaturanga is very hard on the shoulders. So this is something you can keep in mind.

If you have this shoulder pain, I would advise, keep up with your practice, taking things gently. It will not heal well if you sit idle. If you are transitioning from sporadic practice to regular practice, the body will have some adjustments to make. Take it easy though, and gradually work towards the headstand.

You can try to look in a full mirror at home to see if you are straight, but this is obviously not as good as having someone experienced take a look at your headstand and help you with corrections.

If you have neck or shoulder injuries the headstand should be approached most carefully. Also, as you may know if you have eye injuries or detached retina.

Oh, and of course, you should warm up before any asana. That is why sun salutation sequences are used in class. Child's pose afterward is very good.

Something else, once you are comfortable in the headstand, try to feel yourself as light and weightless, really lift through the neck and ankle bones, lengthening. If you mentally see yourself as heavy, or as the headstand as being a difficult thing to hold yourself up there, the weight will move down towards shoulders and neck (imagine slumping while sitting!).

Wish you were here so I could take a look!

I hope that helps a bit.

Om,
Janaki

 

 
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