Bound Headstand Pose | Baddha Hasta Sirsasana

BOUND HEADSTAND POSE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Start in dolphin pose and position your hands close to a wall.
2. Interlace your fingers, tuck your chin and place the crown of your head in front of the hands.
3. Walk your feet in toward your elbows as much as you can, bend one knee at a time and bring it toward your chest.
4. Find your balance and then straighten the legs up the wall.
5. Stay in bound headstand pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute, return to dolphin pose and then rest into child’s pose.

MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

The bound headstand is an advanced pose that requires shoulder, core, and leg strength to be safely executed. Breathe deeply, maintain your body stable, keep the shoulders away from the ears and keep the weight out of your head and neck. Engage your core, arms, and legs and maintain your spine aligned.

BADDHA HASTA SIRSASANA BENEFITS

The bound headstand is an inversion pose that invigorates the body, rejuvenates the cells, and strengthens the muscles. This yoga pose helps bring fresh nutrients and oxygen to the brain, face, scalp, hypothalamus and pituitary gland, and improves concentration and memory.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

High blood pressure, glaucoma, pregnancy, neck or shoulder injury.

PREPARATORY, COMPLEMENTARY AND FOLLOW-UP POSES

Start in dolphin pose or crow pose and then progress to bound headstand pose. Follow-up with child’s pose or dolphin pose.

RELATED YOGA POSES

Try these other yoga poses to relax and relieve stress and tension:
Full side plank pose
Staff pose
Firefly pose
Crow pose

YOGA ESSENTIAL FLOWS