181/365 Stand on Your Head

Friends and Fitness Enthusiasts,

Remember when you first learned how to do a 3-point headstand when you were little? Well, there's more to it than looking silly.

There are inversion boots and inversion tables that can get you to the desired upside down position. And why is being upside down something you want? For most of the day you are standing or sitting; blood is constantly working against gravity to get to your brain and your heart. By going upside down, you assist your vascular system to get re-oxygenated. There are other health claims that come with it but since I couldn't find much research supporting it. You can find comprehensive instructions here: (http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/481)

Also on this site you will find directions for doing the headstand or Salamba Sirsasana If you've never done this before, I highly recommend doing the beginner version. Once you master this pose, it's a lot of fun and feels so empowering. Yoga Journal recommends that you start off at 10 seconds, work up to 3 minutes, and eventually 5 minutes.

Practice your headstands with confidence. Make sure that you hold the weight of your body in your shoulders and arms, not on your head.

In health,

Lauren