YP of the week: Supported Headstand

It's been a few weeks since I've done one of these posts.
Life has been a little hectic.
I've been going to Pilates about two days a week.
And on my off days I do a Yoga sequence at home.
I lay out my mat and find a video on YouTube, depending on what I want to achieve from that session. Sometimes I'll do a stretching video or kick it up a notch with a core video.
In the mean time I have been working on my supported headstand.
Right now I am still using a wall in my bedroom to support me.
But I've been getting better, where soon I may not even need the wall.
Just remember every day is different from one day to the next.
You may be really flexible one day and the next you'll be sore and hardly be able to move.
It's just how the body is.
So if one day you wake up and you can't get deep into a pose that you've known to do before, don't fret... It happens to everyone.

Supported Headstand

Salamba Sirsasana

(sah-LOM-bah shear-SHAHS-anna)
salamba = with support
sirsa = head

As with any Yoga pose there are going to be contraindications and cautions. Below you will find a list of these:

• Back injury
• Headache
• Heart condition
• High blood pressure
• Low blood pressure
• Menstruation
• Pregnancy: if you are experienced with this pose continue to do so late into pregnancy. However don't start practicing this pose after you become pregnant.

Benefits:

my favorite part.

Yoga has so many benefits to aid in healing the mind and body

• Aids in relieving stress and mild depression
• Calms the brain
• Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
• Improves digestion
• Stimulates the pituitary ans pineal glands
• Strengthens the arms, legs, and spine
• Strengthens the lungs
• Therapeutic for asthma, infertility, insomnia and sinusitis

Sinusitis is in bold because it is something I struggle with on a daily basis, especially after moving to a different climate with completely different weather. My sinuses have been going haywire. I am constantly clearing my throat or blowing my nose. When I am inverted I can feel myself breathing deeper.

Also spine is in bold because I suffer from Scoliosis. I have an S curvature on my back. I have been working with my Pilates instructor, who also happens to be a friend of mine, on strengthening the left side of my body since the curve goes into my right side. With this pose I try to lengthen through my spine as I push my legs up higher and tuck in the tailbone and pelvis, squeezing the butt cheeks. Keeping the spine lengthened will get you into that upright position. It is also very beneficial to your posture.

This posture is one that will definitely take more practice. But each time I find myself getting into this pose it is easier and easier to accomplish. However my balance is what needs worked on most. 

Make sure to keep the breath calm and even when in this pose. And concentrate on clearing the mind. I like to play some mellow music. My favorite person to listen to while doing Yoga is Florence and the Machine. Recently it's been their song Third Eye. I just love Florence's voice. It's so beautiful and I find it to be very soothing. Especially during an intense pose like the supported headstand.

Getting into this pose I find that I place my forearms on my mat shoulder distance apart and side in a table top position. Then I'll push up into Dolphin and hold that for about 5 seconds. And in one motion push my legs up and come to find the wall behind me. Once I straighten out I push off from the wall and hold this pose for 10 seconds, longer if I'm feeling it. My arms could be tucked in little more, but like I said this will definitely need practice. 

And that's exactly what Yoga is... a practice.

xo

*Shine like Glitter*

I started off with making a video for this post.

But I didn't like how it turned out.

So I quickly forgot that idea.

This week in the mail I received the Franklin balls that I had ordered.

The Franklin Method is a method used in Pilates.

I will be using these babies on my feet, since I spend a lot of time on my feet.

As I sure most of us do.

I will also be using them on my back.

L showed me an exercise to do with this ball on my lower back.

Hallelujah.

I hope you all have a wonderful and beautiful week.

It's really beautiful here.

The leaves are all changing colors.

The air is cool and fresh.

Gorgeous.

Namaste, my friends.