Shirshasana- Sovereign among Asanas

Shirshasana- Sovereign among Asanas On the 21st June, Summer Solstice in Northern Hemisphere, as has been for several years in a row now, millions across the globe will assemble in schools, parks, offices, educational and scientific institutions, various establishments and in unison they will perform yoga. The world will become a Yoga Mat under the azure sky. The United Nations has not only endorsed observing International Yoga Day, but have given a major thumbs-up to this ancient Indian practice and has taken up popularising it across the universe. A symphony synchronizing the body, mind and soul As a music lover, one fondly recalls the iconic lyrics of Across the Universe by the Beatles. Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup They slither wildly as they slip away across the Universe Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind Possessing and caressing me Jai Guru Deva, Om Jai Guru Deva implies victory of the big mind. Om, when fragmented into three syllables – AAA (the hubbub that emanates from the abdomen), UUU (the reverberation emerging from the chest region) and MMM (the resonance materialising from the head region). Yoga is a kind of exercise in which a practitioner locomotes the human body into several distinct and diverse positions in order to attain physical fitness and flexibility. While performing yogic exercises the sadhak has to invariably pay attention to the breath. Metaphysical demeanour The root of the word yoga lies in the Sanskrit word – yuj – authentically meaning to conjoin. While Lord Shiva is believed to be the original progenitor of this ancient science, Maharishi Patanjali revealed to humanity the intricacies of yogic science through his treatise Patanjali Yoga Sutra. An insight into Shirshasana The asana basically involves inverting the body, with hands, neck and shoulders bearing the entire weight of the body. The first step is the Vajrasana. Through a series of fluid steps to be executed in slow, measured pace, the practitioner moves from Vajrasana to the final pose where the legs are held straight up, toes pointing upwards and the arms cradling the head, with the elbows bent at right angles for further support. As a practitioner holds the pose, it works against the pressure of gravity, assisting in draining impure blood from the lower limbs and also enhancing blood flow to the head and neck regions. Moving out the asana has also to be done at the same measured pace in order to prevent injuries. This involves literally tracing all the steps backwards until one move into Shishuasana. It is advisable to rest the body in Shavasana following this asana. Beginners are advised to practice Shirshasana at the end of their yogic asana programme while advanced practitioners can perform it either at the beginning or the end of a yogic session. It may be mentioned that the asana is very powerful to awaken the Sahasrara chakra, which is responsible for the lofty position this sovereign among asanas enjoys. A Note of Caution Shirshasana is contra-indicated for those individuals suffering with high blood pressure, heart disease, thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, chronic catarrh (excessive build-up of mucus in the nose or throat), chronic constipation, kidney problems, impure blood, severe near-sightedness, weak eye blood vessels, conjunctivitis, and chronic glaucoma, inflammation of the ears, any form of haemorrhage in the head. It should neither be practiced during pregnancy nor during menstruation. It goes without saying that the practitioner should learn the craft under the careful guidance and supervision of a trained yoga instructor and practice for some time under the grace of a Guru. Live life in a yogic way.