Madhypada Shirasana

(Head between Legs Posture)

The posture that is formed by placing head between legs is called Madhypada Shirasana. Practice of this asana helps to maintain symmetry of waist along with balance of body.

Method

1. Stand on mat and stretch both your legs as far apart as you can. Place both your hands on lower back.
2. Taking a deep breath in and look up at sky.
3. Slowly breathe out and return to normal position. While exhaling place both hands on floor, interlock fingers with palms facing sky.
4. Bend down and place palms on mat and place head on palms.
5. While inhaling, raise head and with the help of palms on floor jump and sit on toes. Slowly get back to starting position.

Madhypada Shirasana (Head between Legs Posture)

Duration

Initially practice this asana for half a minute and then slowly time can be extended up to 3 minutes per week depending on individual capacity.

Effect on Health

During practice of this asana, as head faces downwards it directly affects brain, face and shoulders. Brain remains healthy and active. Face start glowing as pimples and blemishes vanish. Buttocks remain slim and well sharped. Shoulders stay balanced and strong. Nerves of legs become strong, active and well shaped. Balanced blood flow in vessels of throat betters quality of voice. Heart remains healthy and a possibility of blockages is nullified. All organs of abdomen function efficiently and as a result digestive system remains strong and active.

Brain and hypothalamus gland are mainly affected with practice of this asana. The entire nervous system remains active and healthy. Spine experiences an appreciable flexibility. The thyroid and parathyroid glands, which play an important role in determining height of an individual, are also influenced.

Other Benefits

Improves memory, increases blood circulation. Hypertensive person should not practice this asana.