Headstands Across the Nation

It was quite a few years ago when I was taking up yoga on a regular basis where I learned how to do a proper head stand. Not realizing it would follow me everywhere I go. In some of the most unique places.

I want to inspire others out there to take a picture in a unique place doing something so out of the ordinary. Doing a headstand in the busiest of places, on tops of mountains, at the edge of a lake were all places that others would always be impressed and shocked that any one could possibly do that. It helps strike up conversation with others and helps to get people talking.

Headstand (Shirshasana) is often referred to as the king of all yoga poses. Here are 10 reasons why headstand should be practiced everyday.

U.S Capitol Building Washington, DC
(earned me a free pass to tour the CB for life)

1. By reversing the flow of gravity, a headstand simulates a “face lift” by letting your skin hang in the opposite direction. The inverted position of a headstand also flushes fresh nutrients and oxygen to the face, creating a glowing effect on the skin.

2. Headstands increase nutrients and blood flow to the scalp, decreasing onset of grey hair. Some yogis say that it will even convert grey hair back to its natural color!

3. Headstands stimulate and provide refreshed blood to the pituitary and hypothalamus glands. These glands are vital to our wellbeing, and are considered the master glands that regulate all other glands in the body (thyroid, pineal, and adrenals). This includes our sexual hormones, so you can expect better sex with a consistent headstand practice.

4. When the adrenal glands are flushed and detoxified with headstands, we create more positive thought. Depression will decrease, as going upside down will almost always put a smile on your face.

5. It's great to bust out a headstand at a party. Your peers will be impressed!

Emerald Lake, Rocky Mountain NP

6. Improved circulation occurs with a headstand practice. Because the heart constantly has to pump blood upward to the brain, the headstand gives the heart a rest and reduces unnecessary strain. In addition, while in headstand de-oxygenated blood is able to flow more easily from the extremities to the heart.

7. Any fluid that is retained in the feet is able to drain (edema), therefore reducing the onset and prevalence of varicose veins.

8. Headstands increase digestive fire and increase body heat. The intestines are cleansed by reversing the pull of gravity, while releasing congested blood in the colon.

Evans Notch, Maine

9. Headstands strengthen deep core muscles. To hold a straight headstand for an extended period of time, the practitioner must engage the obliques, the rectus abdominus and the transverse abdominus. To really engage and strengthen the core, pike the legs by lifting and/or lowering both legs at the same time when coming in and out of the pose.

10. Eliminate your chances of having an ischemic stroke, as scientific evidence shows that this type of stroke rarely occurs in individuals that consistently do headstands!

(The above list came from a website called mindbodygreen.com. This is just a list I believe in and is just my opinion, others may think differently.)

Here are some of my photos from my #headstandsacrossthenation :