Health upside down: the benefits of inverted yoga poses

Poses in which the heart is above the head are called inverted (or inversions). Such an unusual body position for a person has a number of advantages and many contraindications, which estet-portal.com will acquaint you with. Stand on the head, on the forearms and shoulders – the first asanas that come to mind when thinking about inverted poses. However, there are also "softer" ones. inversion poses, which are both easier to perform and less risky. These include: Downward Facing Dog, Bent Candle Pose, and Happy Child Pose.

Inverted Yoga Poses Key Benefits

Despite the fact that the body is not in its natural position in inverted poses, inversion asanas have a number of benefits for the state of the body and mind. Among them:

1. Improve blood flow. By being in a head down position, you provide blood flow to the brain, so that it is saturated with oxygen and other nutrients necessary for proper operation. As a result, memory, concentration and the ability to process information improve. The beneficial effect of improving blood flow is also observed in the lower body, so such asanas will be especially useful for people who spend their days mostly in a sitting position.

2. Improved balance. Performing an inversion pose without sufficient ability to maintain balance is simply impossible. Therefore, inverted asanas perfectly strengthen the arms and the muscular corset and, accordingly, help maintain balance.
3. Improvement of the immune system. You probably know that the lymphatic system is one of the most important components of the body's immune defenses. Since lymph, unlike blood, can flow exclusively from the bottom up, being in an inverted position helps to improve lymph flow and eliminate toxins from the whole body, especially from the lungs.
4. Influx of energy. If you find yourself lacking energy in the morning, try standing in Downward Dog Pose. This asana is easier to practice than the full inverted poses, but it will provide a boost of energy due to the blood flow to the brain.

Read also: Sun salutation: the benefits and technique of performing Surya Namaskar    

5. Mood improvement. Inversion poses – great way to deal with stress. Yoga is considered one of the best ways to lower the stress hormone (cortisol) and stay in a great mood.

In addition to the above benefits, inverted poses:

• relieve leg swelling;
• help improve vision and hearing;
• improve digestion;
• improve skin color;
• normalize weight;
• slow down aging.

Contraindications and safety precautions for inverted yoga poses

Before you start mastering inverted yoga poses, make sure that there are no following contraindications:

• high blood pressure;
• diseases of the spine (especially herniated and prolapsed intervertebral discs);
• pregnancy;
• menstruation;
• serious heart disease;
• neck injuries, etc.

Before performing inversion poses, make sure that there are no contraindications.

Warnings for inverted poses:

• It is better for beginners not to start inverted asanas without first strengthening the muscles of the arms, shoulders, neck and core, and also without mastering simpler postures;
• it is better to learn to perform inversion poses under the guidance of a specialist;
• you can not practice inverted asanas on a full stomach, at least 3 hours must pass between eating and practicing these asanas;
• the time spent in inverted poses should increase gradually;
• take a pose smoothly and carefully;
• after doing the inverted poses, you need to relax in the corpse pose.

Inverted yoga poses have a beneficial effect on the condition of the whole body, however, estet-portal.com encourages you to take into account possible contraindications for performing such asanas and recommends learning the technique under the strict guidance of an experienced instructor.