Master BKS Iyengar has said that one must practice asanas regularly. And, in case you don't have enough time for a full practice then at least do inversions. The most important inversion is Sirsasana(headstand). Sirsasana is called the "King of all asanas" for a reason. It is the most powerful physical tool that we possess for overcoming the forces in the physical world that decay and age our body and mind. These forces show up as loss of mental power and clarity, loss of posture, shortness of breath, poor circulation and sluggish digestion. When all of these bodily system are working harmoniously then we remain youthful and bright for the extent of our lives. Performing headstand.. or if you can't yet do headstand then a supported inversion...aids the bodily systems(circulation,endocrine, respiratory,digestive,skeletal). The strain of gravity on our body and its systems is reversed by completely turning yourself upside down. Our relationship to gravity and worldly forces is changed completely and our body is nourished instead of depleted.
The effects of sirsasana on the circulatory system is that more blood can flow back to the heart and flow from the heart. When you are upside down venous blood returns easily to the heart reducing fatigue in the legs. Also the heart is able to pump more blood to the head bathing the brain with fresh oxygenated blood. Fatigue and brain tissue degeneration are minimized. Your thinking power, clarity, memory, concentration, and sensory faculities are nourished and brightened. The ability to hold a single pointed focus for an extended period of time (a key to our success) is now possible.
Sirsasana helps the lymphatic system in the same way, by returning lymph to the heart via the veins. A regular practice of headstand prevents the buildup of fluid in the legs and feet.
Sirsana rejuvenates the nervous system increasing mental alertness and clarity in the brain. It calms, soothes, relieves stress and depression in the brain wave activity.
Sirsasana makes the respiratory system healthier. The lungs are actually strengthened because they learn to breathe as the orgams of the body are resting on top of them.
Headstand properly aligns the spine facilitating good breathing and reducing muscular stress.
Headstand tones and cleans the digestive organs by increasing gastric fire and producing heat in the body. By reversing the pull of gravity on the intestines constipation is eliminated and fresh blood invigorates the liver, kidneys, stomach, and reproductive organs.
In the skeletal system, headstand strengthens and aligns the spine and neck improving your posture when you are upright. The muscles of the abdomen, legs, shoulders and arms are toned while you are in headstand.
You can easily understand how all of these physical and mental benefits of sirsasana can eliminate the effects of aging. By regular practice and by increasing your duration in headstand all of these antidotes become more potent.
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