Free Hand Headstand

Mukta hasta sirsasana is an advanced free hand headstand from the second series of Ashtanga yoga. Do not do this unless you have a good, regular headstand in your asana practice. If you are new to headstand practice, start here. Remember that mastering a headstand takes time and you shouldn’t be rushing into it directly. The more you practice with patience, the faster development you’ll gain for your body and mind.

Mukta Hasta Sirsasana C – Free Hand Headstand

How to get into the pose

Put the crown of the head towards the mat. Straighten the hands, palms facing up, and press strongly towards the ground. Walk the feet as close as possible. When the hips are high enough and in line with your shoulders, legs start to come up almost automatically. Activate your bandhas to keep the body steady. Head and palms are pressing strongly, finding balance in the pose. Stay with the ujjayi breath and keep lengthening up.

Benefits

Practicing headstands is beneficial for our body and mind, strengthening and relaxing them. To practice more advanced headstands, please have a look at seven headstands of ashtanga yoga. For more practice, challenge your core with some fun playtime.

• • Headstands can improve blood flow and regulate blood pressure
  • Increasing blood circulation improves the brain function
  • They can help a headache
  • Relief of stress reactions
  • Relaxation and energy for the body
  • Deepening and calming of breath
  • Massage for the seventh chakra

Stand Up and Share

If you found this video useful, share it with some of your yogi friends who would benefit! You get good karma and they get to deepen their practice!

For more yoga tips, check out Doron’s YouTube channel, or visit us for a yoga retreat at the Doron Yoga & Zen Center in Guatemala.

Blissful Living,

Doron