Sirshasana

Sirshasana

TECHNIQUE

Spread a fourfold blanket. Sit on the two knees. Make a finger-lock by interweaving the fingers. Place it on the ground up to the elbow. Now, keep the top of your head on this finger-lock or between the two hands. Slowly raise the legs till they become vertical. Stand for five seconds in the beginning and gradually increase the period by 15 seconds each week to 20 minutes or half an hour. Then slowly bring the legs down. Strong people can remain in this Asana for half an hour within a period of 2 or 3 months’ practice. Do it slowly. Do not be anxious. Be calm. Be cool. There is eternity before you. On this score do not be sluggish in your practice. Do this Asana on an empty stomach. If you have time, do twice daily both morning and evening. Perform this Asana very, very slowly and avoid jerks. While standing on the head, breathe slowly through the nose and never through the mouth.

You can place the hands on the ground one on each side of the head. You will find this easy to practise if you are fat. When you learn balancing, then you can take to finger-lock method. This Asana is nothing for those who can do balance in parallel bars or on the ground. Ask your friend to assist you to keep the legs steady while practising or get the help of a wall when you begin to learn this.

In the beginning, some may have some sensation during practice but soon this vanishes. It brings joy and glee. After the exercise is over take a little rest for five minutes and then take a cup of milk. Those who do this Asana for a long time, say, 20 minutes or half an hour, should take some kind of light refreshment, milk or anything, when this Asana is over. This is very important. This is sine qua non. In summer do not practise this Asana for a long time. In winter you can practise as long as you desire.

There are people who are doing this Asana for two or three hours at one stretch. Pandit Raghunath Sastri of Badrinarayan was very fond of this Asana and used to practise it for 2 or 3 hours. There was a Yogi at Varanasi who entered into Samadhi in this Asana. Sri Jaspat Rai, P.V. Acharyaji Maharaj, and others, were doing this Asana regularly for more than one hour daily at one stretch.

BENEFITS

This is very useful in keeping up Brahmacharya. It makes you an Urdhvaretas. The seminal energy is transmuted into spiritual Ojas-Sakti. This is also called sex-sublimation. You will not have wet dreams, spermatorrhoea. In an Urdhvareto-Yogi the seminal energy flows upwards into the brain for being stored up as spiritual force which is used for contemplative purposes (Dhyana). When you do this Asana, imagine that the seminal energy is being converted into Ojas and is passing along the spinal column into the brain for storage. Sirshasana invigorates, energises and vivifies.

Sirshasana is really a blessing and a nectar. Words will fail to adequately describe its beneficial results and effects. In this Asana alone, the brain can draw plenty of Prana and blood. This acts against the force of gravity and draws an abundance of blood from the heart. Memory increases admirably. Lawyers, occultists and thinkers will highly appreciate this Asana. This leads to natural Pranayama and Samadhi by itself. No other effort is necessary. If you watch the breath, you will notice that it becomes finer and finer. In the beginning of practice, there will be slight difficulty in breathing. As you advance in practice, this vanishes entirely. You will find real pleasure, exhilaration of spirit, in this Asana.

Great benefit is derived by sitting for meditation after Sirshasana. You can hear Anahata sounds quite distinctly. Young, robust persons should perform this Asana. The advantages that are derived from this Asana are incalculable. Those who practise this should not have frequent copulation.

This is a panacea, a cure-all, a sovereign specific for all diseases. It brightens the psychic faculties and awakens Kundalini Sakti, removes all sorts of diseases of the intestines and stomach and augments mental power. This is a powerful blood-purifier and nervine tonic. All diseases of the eye, nose, head, throat, stomach, genito-urinary system, liver, spleen, lungs, renal colic, deafness, gonorrhoea, diabetes, piles, asthma consumption, syphilis, etc., are cured. It augments the digestive fire, Jatharagni. Wrinkles and grayness will disappear. “He who practises this for three hours daily conquers time”-Yoga Tattva Upanishad. Even ladies can practise this Asana. Many uterine and ovarine diseases are cured. Sterility disappears. Asana, Pranayama and Japa should go hand in hand. Repeat the Mantra of your Ishta Devata or the Mantras given by your Guru during the practice of this Asana.

Remember always the precious words of Lord Krishna: “Tasmat Yogi Bhava”-“Therefore become thou a Yogi” (Gita, Chapter VI-46).

Sri Prakash Jung, Private Secretary to the late Maharaja of Tehri State, Himalayas, had swelling of feet and disease of heart. The muscles of the heart were not able to contract and dilate properly in its function of pumping. That was the diagnosis of the doctors. He practised Sirshasana regularly for a few days. All swelling disappeared. The heart functioned properly. There was no pain at all. He used to do this Asana for half an hour daily.

Pandit Surya Narayan, Advocate, Lakhimpure Kheri, was doing this Asana. His memory has been considerably improved. The pain in the back and shoulders (chronic rheumatism) vanished completely.

Sirshasana

Among the many classical yoga postures, Sirshasana is regarded as one of the most respected and transformative practices. Often called the king of yoga poses, it symbolizes balance, courage, concentration, and inner discipline. This inversion posture encourages practitioners to view life from a different perspective while cultivating physical stability and mental clarity. Ancient yogic traditions consider this posture a powerful tool for enhancing awareness and supporting spiritual growth when practiced with patience and proper guidance.

Learning this posture requires steady progress rather than haste. Beginners should first develop sufficient shoulder, arm, and core strength before attempting a full inversion. Practicing under the supervision of an experienced yoga teacher helps ensure correct alignment and reduces the possibility of injury. A calm environment and a focused mind also contribute to a safe and rewarding experience.

The benefits of regular practice extend beyond physical fitness. By reversing the body’s usual position, circulation is encouraged throughout the upper body, helping nourish the brain and supporting improved concentration. Many practitioners report enhanced mental alertness, emotional balance, and a greater sense of confidence after including Sirshasana in their daily yoga routine. The posture also strengthens the shoulders, arms, spine, and abdominal muscles while improving overall body coordination.

In yogic philosophy, inversion postures are believed to awaken higher levels of awareness. They inspire practitioners to cultivate patience, humility, and mindfulness. During steady breathing and focused attention, the mind gradually becomes calmer, allowing distractions to fade. This inner stillness creates a suitable foundation for meditation and self-reflection, making Sirshasana an important practice for those seeking both physical vitality and spiritual harmony.

Preparation is essential before attempting this advanced posture. Gentle stretching of the neck, shoulders, hamstrings, and back helps prepare the body. Strength-building exercises such as Dolphin Pose, Plank, and Forearm Balance are excellent preparatory practices. Once comfortable, practitioners may begin by using a wall for support until balance improves naturally. Rushing into the posture without adequate preparation should always be avoided.

Breathing plays a significant role throughout the practice. Slow, controlled breaths help maintain stability and reduce unnecessary tension. Instead of holding the breath, practitioners should breathe naturally while keeping the gaze steady. After coming out of the posture, resting briefly in Child’s Pose allows the body to return to its normal circulation pattern comfortably.

Although highly beneficial, this posture is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with uncontrolled high blood pressure, serious neck injuries, glaucoma, or certain heart conditions should avoid practicing it unless specifically advised by a qualified healthcare professional and experienced yoga instructor. Pregnant women and complete beginners should also seek expert guidance before attempting any inversion.

Yoga is not merely a collection of physical exercises but a complete lifestyle that nurtures body, mind, and spirit. Every posture becomes more meaningful when combined with ethical living, balanced nutrition, meditation, and positive thinking. Through regular and mindful practice, Sirshasana becomes a symbol of confidence, perseverance, and inner transformation rather than simply an advanced yoga pose.

For those following authentic spiritual traditions, yoga serves as a bridge between physical well-being and higher consciousness. The teachings shared through Devotional India encourage seekers to integrate yogic wisdom with daily life, fostering compassion, self-discipline, and devotion. Articles published by Devotional India inspire readers to explore timeless practices that support holistic growth while preserving India’s rich spiritual heritage. Through the guidance available on Devotional India, practitioners can deepen their understanding of traditional yoga and embrace its true purpose. As Devotional India continues to share authentic knowledge, aspirants are encouraged to practice Sirshasana, Sirshasana,, Sirshasana, and Sirshasana with sincerity, proper guidance, and unwavering dedication.