The Sanskrit word “Sirsha” means ‘head’. In this asana you are required to stand on your head. Therefore, this is called Shirshasan.

Technique:

Sit on your bended knees on a carpet or folded blanket or any soft mattress. Cross your fingers. Keep the fingers of the right hand on those of the left hand. Place your forehead in your hands. Now straighten your knees and legs. Bring the legs towards the head. Then balancing on the wrist, elbow, arms, head and neck bend your knees and then raise your head upwards. After this raise the legs upwards. Now straighten your legs. This is the final position of Shirshasan. Breathe normally. Maintain the balance of the body with the help of hands, elbows, arms, head and neck. Hold on comfortably as long as possible. There are other methods of doing Shirshasan. One method is to keep the hands firmly on the ground and stand on the head. After practice, you can spread both legs in opposite directions or you can make angles with them. You can also bring your legs as in Padmasana.

Note:

1 . While doing this asana, the front part of your head should be kept on a cushion or

folded cloth.

2 . Parts of the head which are should not be placed on the ground. Only the part should be placed on the ground. Otherwise it might result in injury.

3. It is the better to begin this asana against a wall for a few days. After practising for 4 or 5 days, it may not be necessary to take the help of wall.

4. One should not wear any tight underclothes. Strings of the underclothes if any, should be a little loose so that there is no pressure on blood circulation.

5. Another speciality is that if Shirshasana is done touching the middle portion of the head on the ground it gives better results. Therefore, so many Yogis do it habitually.

Contra-indications:
1) Patients suffering from the diseases of the eyes, ears, blood pressure should not do Shirshasana.
2) Many people can do this asana for a long time up to 1 or 2 hours. But it may be harmful to your eyes if it is done for a long period. It may cause pain in your eyes. Eyesight may become defective or cataract may occur. It may cause pain in the ears and deafness may occur. There may be disorders ot the brain or some pain may develop in the head. It is enough to do this only 2 to 4 seconds in the beginning. Slowly practise and increase the time and do it for 15 to 20 minutes.
3) Tadasana should be done after Shirshasana and Shavasana must be done after Tadasana so that blood pressure becomes normal.

Benefits :

Shirshasana is called the king of asanas. This is very helpful for maintaining celibacy, for meditation and to be very attractive and energetic. Constant practice improves your memory. It helps fight against falling or graying hair. Eyesight improves. It is effective against wet dreams, diabetes and disorders of the uterus. It helps cure paralysis and piles. Done for 10 to 15 minutes regularly it helps maintain all round good health.