- Thank You Yoga! For Sirsasana! (Headstand) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Sirsasana! (4 leg variations) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Sirsasana! (4 arm variations) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Fire Log Pose! (Agnistambhasana) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Lotus Pose! (Padmasana) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Upward Lotus Pose in Headstand! (Urdhva Padmasana in Sirsasana) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Crow Pose and Side Crow! (Bakasana and Parsva Bakasana) :-)
I am grateful for the the Sirsasana II to Bakasana Vinyasa because...
- I always feel like I have accomplished something incredible afterwards!
- My arms get a great work out!
- My core gets a great work out!
- I am very focused and clear on my goals for the vinyasa! All my troubles seem to fade away!
- The rest that comes after such a work out is very rewarding!
- My balance and harmony with the movement of my body awakens a heightened sensitivity and awareness!
CAUTIONS and CONTRAINDICTIONS: according to yoga journal for crow pose, carpal tunnel syndrome and pregnancy. For side crow, any wrist or lower back injury
For Sirsasana: Do not practice sirsasana if you suffer from any of the following: back injury, headache, heart condition, high blood pressure, menstruation, neck injury, low blood pressure (don't start with this pose), pregnancy (If you are experienced with this pose, you can continue to practice it late into pregnancy. However, don't take up the practice of sirsasana after you become pregnant.), do not practice without a sufficient amount of experience, this pose is considered an intermediate pose
Effects according to BKS Iyengar's Light on Yoga page 317 for Bakasana:
This asana strengthens the arms and abdominal organs since the latter is contracted.
On page 320 for Parsva Bakasana:
This pose strengthens the arms. By continued practice the lateral muscles of the abdomen will develop and the intestines will grow stronger.
For Sirsasana pg 190: These are benefits of sirsasana according to BKS Iyengar in his Light on Yoga.
- “Regular practice of sirsasana makes healthy pure blood flow throughout the brain cells. This rejuvenates them so that thinking power increases and thoughts become clearer.
- This asana is a tonic for people whose brains tire quickly. It ensures a proper blood supply to the pituitary and pineal glands in the brain. Our growth, health, and vitality depend on the proper functioning of these two glands.
- People suffering from loss of sleep, memory, and vitality have recovered by the regular and correct practice of this asana and have become fountains of energy.
- The lungs gain the power to resist any climate and stand up to any work, which relieves one from colds, coughs, tonsillitis, halitosis (foul breath) and palpitation.
- It keeps the body warm.
- Coupled with sarvangasana (shoulder stand) movements it is a boon to people suffering from constipation.
- Regular practice of sirsasana will show marked improvement in the hemoglobin (A red blood cell that brings oxygen to the vertebrates.) content of the blood.
- Regular and precise practice of sirsasana develops the body, disciplines the mind, and widens the horizons of the spirit.
- One becomes balanced and self-reliant in pain and pleasure, loss and gain, shame and blame and defeat and victory.”
Technique
- Initially we move onto a mat on all fours.
- Place the head down on the mat.
- Place the palms on the mat an upper arms distance ahead of the face about shoulders with apart, fingers pointing toward the face, forearms as straight up and down as you can manage.
- Inhale, straighten the legs, tips of the toes touching the ground.
- Exhale raise the legs up till the body is straight up and down completing Sirsasana II.
- Hold here for a time to make sure of your balance.
- Inhale, then exhale bending the legs folding them downward, check balance.
- Inhale, then exhale twisting the legs to the right, lowering the left leg onto the right upper arm, right leg follows, completing Parsva Bakasana to the right.
- Hold here for a time with as gentle a breathe as you can manage.
- When ready to do so take an inhale, then exhale as you tip forward onto the head, allowing the balance to be shifted once again, exhale as you push the lower body up, straightening so that you are once again balancing in Sirsasana II.
- Hold for a time and then begin the same process slightly varied for the left (Parsva Bakasana left) and center (Bakasana), balancing the legs on the arms in a slightly different way each time according to position.
- I strongly advise taking a break after that! This movement always makes my arms feel like putty, might require some loosening of the neck, and relaxation of the core with some easy breathing since it was worked so much. A rest in Savasana or some other resting pose might be nice or continue on with the rest of your sequence. Whenever you come to the end of your yoga journey for this interval, take some time to be very grateful to your body for carrying you through the practice, the ground for supporting you, and the vital breathe for facilitating this experience as well as all others. :-)
Have a wonderful day, my friend! Thank you so much for being wonderful you! I hope that you enjoyed “Thank You Yoga! For Headstand II to Crow! (Sirsasana II to Bakasana) :-)” I hope this experience has really charged you up with inspiration and strength as well as given you a great opportunity to rest in a very complete way! May all living beings find inspiration, strength, thankfulness and deep rejuvenating rest this day and in all others :-) Godbless and Namaste! Have a great day! Love, Aaron :-)