Śīrṣāsana is an extremely important āsana and is very beneficial to one’s health and well-being, promoting feelings of calm and groundedness. Inverting the body for an extended period of time allows the blood to circulate to certain areas more efficiently, which, in turn, purifies the subtle channels of the head related to the brain and sense organs, such as the eyes. In Śīrṣāsana, most of the weight of the body should be on the arms and not on the head. As you increase the amount of time spent in Śīrṣāsana, it becomes increasingly crucial to protect the subtle channels at the top of the head. Śīrṣāsana must only be performed at the end of your āsana practice, after heating up and purifying the blood. If possible, gradually extend the amount of time you spend in Śīrṣāsana every day to experience the many benefits it offers. In Aṣṭāṅga yoga, once you have performed Śīrṣāsana, it is recommended not to engage in further āsana practice apart from the last three finishing postures of Yoga Mudrā, Padmāsana and Utpluthi.

By