| Most sports don't ask you to go upside down, but | | | | a fresh wash of blood and stimulates action in its |
| yoga is one of the few systems of health that | | | | upper air sacs (arterioles). |
| recommends it. There are amazing health claims | | | | Whether the inversion is subtle or extreme, the |
| associated with inversions: it reverses aging, | | | | pull of blood towards our hearts and heads |
| increases blood flow to the brain, regulates | | | | toggles our nervous systems to turn off the |
| pituitary and pineal glands, relieves constipation, | | | | sympathetic "flight or fight" stress response while |
| tranquilizes the nervous system, and the list goes | | | | turning on the parasympathetic "rest & digest" |
| on. Different people react in different ways, but a | | | | response. When blood pressure accumulates in the |
| regular practice of turning upside down to one | | | | aortic arch above the heart and the carotid |
| degree or another is soothing and balancing, and it | | | | arteries in the neck, the final result is that they |
| can be a necessary step for many to stop their | | | | quiet the "chatterbox" centers within the brain |
| chattering minds before meditation. | | | | itself so that we can have some peace and quiet. |
| Inversion doesn't have to mean a Headstand | | | | Should I practice Inversions? |
| Inversions don't have to be special yoga poses - | | | | As with any physical exertion, there are some |
| they can include a broad range of both yoga and | | | | conditions that are contraindications to inversions. |
| commonplace stretching positions. Even just | | | | Students with high blood pressure are advised |
| hanging your body forward while sitting in a chair | | | | against aggressive inversions such as headstand, |
| can be enough to reset your inner rhythm. | | | | shoulder stand, or plow. Certain students who |
| Downward dog is an inversion, as is Legs Up the | | | | have lost their cervical curve are at serious risk |
| Wall Pose. As you become more advanced, there | | | | when doing headstand or shoulder stand. Students |
| are more intense inversion poses like headstand, | | | | with degenerative bone disease or detached |
| shoulder stand, handstand and plow. | | | | retinas are also strongly discouraged. Functionally, |
| More Benefits of Inversion Therapy | | | | we were not made to put all of our body's |
| Need more reasons to go upside down? | | | | weight on the neck bones, whether in flexion, |
| Inversions are excellent for aiding in draining blood | | | | extension or neutral. A healthy headstand or |
| and lymph from the lower extremities and the | | | | shoulder stand needs strong arms, shoulders, and |
| abdominal and pelvic organs. They are also a | | | | core muscles to displace some of the body's |
| great stretch for the diaphragm. All inverted | | | | weight from the neck and skull. When settling in |
| poses significantly increase blood flow to the brain, | | | | for an inversion, give yourself some time, make |
| heart and lungs. This extra flow helps to saturate | | | | sure your practice space is quiet and warm, and |
| the often neglected upper lobes of the lungs with | | | | dim the lights for an optimum result of calm. |