The Stillness of Inversions

Headstand

When we go upside down, two things happen. Balance becomes tricky, so we focus extra hard to stay upright; and our blood pressure goes up in the head and heart, causing the heart to slow and the blood pressure to drop in compensation.

Both of these elements still the mind and help it become focused and quiet.

Once we are ready to move beyond the purely muscular (strength and flexibility) aspects of yoga practice, we begin to move toward stillness in the body and mind. We seek stillness in every posture and we gravitate toward postures that encourage stillness.

I still love the physical aspects of yoga posture practice - the strength, the burn, the struggle, the flexibility and the progress. These elements actually enable the body to assume ideal positions for stillness.

Headstand is a perfect example. It requires strength in the chest, shoulders, abdomen and neck to perform it properly and safely. Once all the pieces are in place, an aligned spine effortlessly carries the weight of the body and we just float.