By Bhavan Kumar
Are there any risks of Yoga Headstand practice? Let’s clear up some controversy. One concern that many people have with Yoga is that certain positions (asanas) could be harmful. Depending on the type of body one has, any posture could be beneficial or harmful. This is especially true with headstands. The truth is, you should talk with your doctor about your Yoga practice, which is very important. While there can be a risk, the danger can be removed or modified if you understand your body and perform the pose correctly.
Pressure on the Spine
The initial concern new Yoga students have with standing on the head is that too much pressure is being placed on the neck and spine. This is a legitimate concern, and time spent on preparation is important. Time should be invested in foundational poses such as Dolphin and Half Headstand before practicing Headstands.
Poses for Preparation
The Dolphin Pose and Half Headstand can increase the strength of the surrounding muscles and become easier to do over time. However, a Headstand pose should not be done without a Yoga teacher if you have not worked enough muscles to ensure stability. Falling could potentially cause damage.
Eye Pressure
The more peculiar danger is spikes in intraocular pressure (IOP), the pressure of the fluid in the eye. The American Academy of Ophthalmology performed a study in 2006 that found Yoga students and instructors doubled the pressure in their eyes when in a headstand position. To say “there are no risks of Yoga Headstand” is not the whole story.
Eye Problems
Fortunately, the pressure returns to normal within seconds after getting back on your feet. While this is not a problem for most people, those with severe eye problems such as glaucoma, detached retina, or eye tissue damage should avoid headstands. Also, healthy individuals should not hold a headstand longer than they feel comfortable.
Blood Pressure
Placing yourself in the headstand pose also raises blood pressure in the body. For this reason, you should avoid or limit the amount of time you spend in this position to avoid raising your hypertension to a dangerous level. Even those without high blood pressure should not remain in the position for an extended period to reduce uncomfortably raising it.
Stomach Acids
While no formal studies confirm this, some people have reported experiencing heartburn after performing a headstand. The position could aggravate existing heartburn by allowing the acids in the stomach to back up into the esophagus. If you are prone to heartburn, avoid placing your body in a downward position after eating. This includes both lying down and performing inversions.
Pros and Cons
Our brains govern all mental and physical activities. Even though there are risks of Yoga Headstand in asana practice, there are benefits for both the body and the mind. At the same time, the headstand is not for every student. As the headstand increases the blood flow to the brain, it revitalizes the whole body and mind and regenerates the nervous system.
Doctor’s Permission
With your doctor’s permission and under the guidance of a competent and compassionate Yoga instructor, inversions can provide a sense of equilibrium and overall well-being. Students who have had a stroke, are at risk of a stroke, have heart problems, or have epilepsy are also advised to avoid headstands and consult their physicians about practicing any inversions.
© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
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Headstand is a pose that should not be done without a Yoga teacher, It may be harmful instead of beneficial so precaution is must. Thanks for nice sharing!
I learned to do headstands when I was a college student, dealing with insomnia. couldn’t sleep at night so I’d get up and practice headstands. Not only did I learn to sustain a headstand, I would fall right to sleep afterwards!! To this day, however, when my pets see me getting ready to do a headstand they scatter, as they were unfortunate victims of a headstands gone wrong! As an instructor I am extremely careful about who I teach headstands to. I think we adults develop an aversion to being inverted but when we were kids we were upside down a lot! Patience is key, using a wall for support really helps when first learning headstands. I gratefully appreciate this article and found your information to be very helpful!
Namaste,
Anna B.
I have been practicing since 1987.I have benefited from the headstand without any problem. Myself yoga instructor and I do several asanas, pranayama, bandha, mudra, kriyas, etc. However, getting your doctor’s blessing is wise. Thanks for your valuable suggestions.
With doctor’s permission and under the guidance of a competent and compassionate Yoga instructor, inversions can provide a sense of equilibrium and overall well-being. Thanks for posting this valuable article.