Yoga Inverted Poses
Inverted poses require focus with breath control, Core Engagement, and Proper Technique
Shoulderstand -
Sarvangasana
Benefits
Strengthens back, shoulders and neck
Tones legs, hamstrings, and calf muscles ‘reversed blood flow’ (Great for Runners)
Benefits – Health
As the flow of blood is reversed, there is increased blood flow to the brain
The heart muscles are stretched as the reversed blood flow requires the heart to work harder to pump blood to the extremities
Improves digestion
Shoulderstand massages the thyroid gland
Handstand -
Adho Mukha Vrksasana
Benefits
Strengthens the shoulders, arms, and wrists
Stretches the belly and the chest
Improves sense of balance
Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
Headstand -
Sirsasana
Benefits
The very fact the body is inverted gives room for better blood circulation to the brain and eyes.
Helps to realign the vertebral column, thus correcting any minor postural defects.
Puts pressure on the pituitary glands which helps to increase its efficiency, and in turn the efficiency of all other hormone-producing endocrine glands which are controlled by it.
The weight of the abdominal organs on the diaphragm encourages deeper exhalation so that more carbon dioxide and other toxins are removed from the lungs.
This asana stimulates the nervous system and strengthens the spine, shoulders and neck.
Dolphin - Makara Adho Mukha Svanasana
Benefits
Builds upper body strength, opens chest, forearms and shoulders
Stretches the entire leg
Strengthens and tightens the core muscles
Improves digestion, the spinal alignment
Energises the body bringing in fresh blood to the head
Feather Peacock –
Pincha Mayurasana
Benefits
Increase blood flow to the brain, which reduces stress and promotes feelings of clarity and peace
Stretches and strengthens the elbows, upper arm muscles like biceps and triceps, shoulder muscles mainly the deltoid muscles
Tones the upper arm muscles
Improves the flexibility of the shoulder and upper arm muscles in their range of motion
Stretches and strengthens the neck muscles like the trapezius
Improves the range of motion of the neck muscles, gaining flexibility
Scorpion -
Vrschikasana
Benefits
Strengthens the torso, back, arms and shoulders
Improves your sense of balance
Improving the flexibility of the spine
Builds stamina and endurance
Allows blood to rush to the brain improving memory and concentration
Stimulates the hair follicles in the scalp (hair loss prevention)
Release accumulated stress in the shoulders and spine