Advanced Yoga Poses: Inverse Positions
Most of the basic yoga poses that you will learn as a student of yoga will involve standing, sitting, or lying flat. These are some of the easiest postures that you will ever come across, and that’s why all students are expected to start off with these. As you progress through your course of study, you will be taught more advanced yoga poses which are designed to increase your flexibility even further. One set of yoga poses which tend to cause some worry amongst new students are the inverse postures, most notably the headstand. These poses involve arranging the body in an upside down fashion and keeping your balance can cause some concern. While it is in theory possible to injure oneself, proper yoga instruction will make the process a lot easier and the benefits of these advanced yoga poses are many.
How do inverse positions help the body? Well, gravity is not necessarily a good thing when it comes to the internal organs. Because of the high water content of our bodies, we are very susceptible to the effects of gravity. What gravity does is compress the body and this causes the organs, and the associated systems, to essentially become constricted. This can lead to countless health problems, from cosmetic concerns such as sagging fat to more serious conditions such as varicose veins. By inverting oneself, you are releasing this pressure and this causes the organs to function better. This is not just a theory as studies have shown the effects of maintaining an inverted position for a few minutes every day. There are four main systems which can benefit from your practicing these advanced yoga postures.
The Endocrine System
When you think of the endocrine system, there are two main things which come to mind: the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. These are crucial in maintaining the hormonal levels in the body, especially in women. Problems in these areas can have devastating effects on a person’s physical and mental health, leading to conditions such as growth defects, excessive weight gain and mood fluctuations. Inverse advanced yoga positions improve the circulation of blood to these areas, thereby allowing them to be immersed in a fresh supply of oxygen. This helps them to remain healthy and maintain the chemical balance in the body.
The Digestive System
This is one of the systems which experience the most compression by gravity. Inverting oneself not only relieves some of this pressure but also encourages the diaphragm movements consistent with deep breathing exercises. This serves to massage the internal organs and we all know how effective a massage is. The blood flow to the organs is also increased so they have a larger supply of oxygen available.
The Circulatory System
Your heart has a lot of work to do. It is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body and this is a tough job. Inverted poses take some of the strain off. These advanced yoga positions strengthen the muscles of the heart by bringing more blood to it in much the same way that aerobic exercise does. The advantage is that it doesn’t have to do as much work to get oxygen rich blood to the brain because gravity does that naturally. By supplying the brain cells with even more nutrition, you are minimizing tissue degeneration and fatigue. Daily yoga practice rejuvenates the brain and helps you to think with more clarity. If a yoga DVD will help you with this, it is advisable to play the Yoga DVD as often as needed to get your motivation and technique up to the level you would like.
The Lymphatic System
It is a well known fact that fluid accumulation in the lymphatic system can lead to painfully swollen lymph nodes. This is especially prevalent in the lower body. Inversions essentially flip the flow of the lymphatic fluid, thereby reversing the build up. Since the lymphatic system is associated with the immune system, this gets a boost as well from daily practice of these advanced yoga postures.
When done properly, yoga inversions are extremely effective at tackling a number of health problems. It is best to do these advanced yoga positions for a few minutes each day to gain the full benefits. It is essential though that you have a qualified instructor and you should consult a doctor if you have any pre-existing conditions such as hypertension.
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