Inverted Yoga Poses

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines inversion as a change in the position, order, or relationship of things so that they are opposite of what they had been.

Inverted yoga poses, "Viparita Sthiti," positively impact the body's four primary systems: cardiovascular, lymphatic, nervous, and endocrine. Reversing gravity improves overall health by shifting the orientation to the head. This affects our mental, emotional, and spiritual psyche, reducing anxiety and stress while increasing self-confidence and concentration.

The circulatory system is comprised of the heart and lungs. The heart feeds the body oxygen and removes waste products from the cells. Arteries pump freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs outward. The veins return blood to the heart using a low-pressure system called the venous return system, which uses muscular movement or gravity to move the blood along.

One-way valves prevent backwash and keep the fluids moving towards the heart.

The heart also gets a break when going upside down because when upright, it consistently works to ensure that freshly oxygenated blood makes its way up to the brain. This pressure is reversed when inverted, allowing blood to move to the brain with minimal effort.

The lungs also benefit from being upside down because gravity naturally pulls the body's fluids downwards when we are upright. The lower lungs are more saturated with blood; thus, going upside down ensures more blood flow to the upper region of the lungs, bringing more oxygen-to-blood exchange.

The lymphatic system is the body's drainage system and protects it from germs, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It is a network of vessels known as lymph nodes that filter unused proteins, waste materials, and excess fluids from the body, dumping the remains back into the circulatory system, where they are removed.

This system works the same way blood returns to your heart via the venous return system. Because the lymphatic system is a closed pressure system, it has one-way valves that keep lymph moving toward the heart. When one goes upside down, the entire lymphatic system is stimulated, thus strengthening your immune system.

Several endocrine organs or ductless glands in the human body absorb the blood's nutrients and secrete hormones for a balanced and well-developed body and brain. If the glands fail to function properly, hormones are not produced as they should be, and the body starts to deteriorate.

Headstand and shoulder stand are the king and queen of all yoga asanas. They have opposite energetics; practicing them daily for overall health is essential.

Headstand "Sirsasana" stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands while bringing blood flow to the brain cells. These glands are responsible for growth, sex hormones, and the overall chemical balance of the body. Practicing a headstand develops more masculine qualities of willpower, sharpness of the brain, clarity of the mind, and stimulation of the nervous system. Additionally, balancing creates centeredness and presence, which is calming and soothing. Headstand increases the gastric fire "Agni" and produces heat in the body, which improves sleep patterns, memory, and vitality.

Shoulder Stand "Sarvangasana" positively affects the thyroid, parathyroid, and lymph glands in the neck region. While doing a shoulder stand, there is a firm chin lock, which increases blood supply to these glands that secrete hormones for the body and brain's proper functioning. Doing a shoulder stand cools the nervous system and neutralizes the body, sedating more feminine qualities of patience and emotional stability.

The gravitational pull of going upside down also affects the abdominal organs, relieving constipation and urinary and uterine disorders.

Please note it is best to consult with a qualified yoga instructor before you start practicing these poses, especially if you suffer from high blood pressure, eye disorders, cardiovascular diseases, kidney ailments, and spinal, neck, or shoulder concerns.

Women are advised to avoid inversions during menstruation. During this time, the body's energy moves downward during a woman's cycle, and going upside down during the menses disturbs this natural rhythm. It can result in a feeling of shakiness, disorientation, or nausea.

Time spent upside-down daily, especially in Sarvangasana and Sirsasana, is one of the best things you could do for yourself. These two poses create an essential balance physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, bringing health and vitality to the body while calming and soothing the body, mind, and spirit.