The head stand is a pose that is an inversion posture of standing head up. The technique is used in different settings, like yoga, breakdancing and beginner gymnastics.
The head stand is called Sirsasana or Sirshasana in Hatha yoga. Although some believe the act of a headstand can increase memory due to "increasing" blood flow to the brain, the act actually pools blood in the head due to gravity greatly increasing the blood pressure to over 150/110. The increased blood pressure is due to the fact the body is designed to be upright and has no mechanism for pumping out blood from the head during a headstand. The increased blood pressure in the head can be damaging to weaker blood vessels, such as those in the eye, which may rupture. To this point there has been no legitimate research on the effects of regularly practicing headstands, but it does seem to be advantageous to core muscles as they can be trained in a fashion they aren't used to.
Hold a head stand for 5 minutes Challenge rules
“This was tough, but once past the three minute mark, the next two were easier. It felt great and was a real boost in the afternoon. Make sure to kneel in child's pose afterward as a counter pose. ”
Show new updates
Cy S 1:45! That's about a minute longer than when I started practicing a couple weeks ago! :) I recommend doing some good shoulder and various other upper body stretches before and after going up. It's really helped me after I had some shoulder tightness for a few days earlier this week.
Matteo R encouraged this.
Jassy C Head stand :D
Meghan L logged some Fitness & Training training on 29 Jan
Bikram yoga for an hour
encouraged this.
Meghan L logged some Fitness & Training training on 22 Jan
Bikram Yoga for an hour & a half
encouraged this.
Sloane P At a 3 hour master class yesterday, I completed this challenge! It felt amazing to stay in the pose breath after breath.
Adrian K and Will Beareen (Anima Mea Avante, Fortiter Re Suaviter Modus.) B encouraged this.
Meghan L logged some Fitness & Training training on 9 Dec 2012
Two hours of yoga.
Anne Margaret S encouraged this.
Sean M I just started inversions and I was able to get into a headstand last weekend. EEEKKK 5 min...I'll give it a go :)
Meghan L added some photos to the Hold a head stand for 5 minutes Challenge
Bj B logged some Fitness & Training training on 26 Sep 2012
Made it three minutes, getting better!
Meghan L encouraged this.
Ryan B I agree, I can't get close to this one, I'm going to quit.
Meghan L encouraged this.
Oh, don't quit yet. Try putting a pillow under your head. A lot softer than the floor!
Cy S encouraged this.
Bj B Okay, I'm not going to lie...this challenge is hard! I just held a headstand until I was pretty uncomfortable and had to come down. I looked at my watch, assuming I had been upside-down for a while and... two minutes had gone by. This is going to be harder than I thought and take some time to build up to!
encouraged this.
Meghan L answered the question Is anyone else finding this a hard challenge??
Hi Lisa. I did the first time I tried, but I got better with practice. Some might consider this to be cheating, but try doing your headstand against a wall or in a corner. You can better focus on keeping your...
Cy S encouraged this.
Micah G answered the question Is anyone else finding this a hard challenge??
I can't even get like 10 seconds. All the blood rushes to my head and I fall over in a huge heap.
Rob R encouraged this.
Lisa W answered the question Is anyone else finding this a hard challenge??
Thank you Lauren I will give it a go. I won't be defeated;-)) x
Lauren M answered the question Is anyone else finding this a hard challenge??
Hi Lisa! Try to keep your core tight and focus on sending your energy up the body towards the feet. :)
Lisa W answered the question Is anyone else finding this a hard challenge??
Rab you are funny ;-)) you were suppose to give me inspiration ?? You made me laugh though ;-))
Rab A answered the question Is anyone else finding this a hard challenge??
I did it standing on my head...
Maria G encouraged this.
I can do it for nearly 2 minutes, then I wobble over... Any one any ideas? Because I'm going to do this! Xx
Faebel F added some photos to the Hold a head stand for 5 minutes Challenge
Nath S encouraged this.
Lisa W I practised this all night last night.. I managed 1 min 40 secs.. I won't be defeated! Great challenge xx
Karen L encouraged this.
Marianne S encouraged this.
Ranmalee G responded to the guide Beginner tips for holding a head stand
*yoga instructor
Ranmalee G responded to the guide Beginner tips for holding a head stand
My ypga instractor also recommended to stand up against a wall at the begining stages. It helps you to bring balance.
Neil B i have been practicing doing a hands stand.......i saw this 20+ ( i think he is a boxer) walking on his hands.....i am just touching the 1 minute mark with a normal hand stand with my legs resting against the wall......omg all these challenges.......
encouraged this.
B S Tried headstand yesterday after many weeks. Was shaking so much! I need more ab work before i can complete this one. Have r u guys getting on with keeping it for 5 mins? I got up to 2.5mins
Sonu K encouraged this.
while doing headstand, take proper precautions...can have irreversible effects on body! Good luck :)
Ravi C It needs time, not difficult one you get the technique. For those who are doing headstand the first time, the tips are as follows-
Give a push from feet to get the initial lift off the ground and then push hard on your elbows but not on your neck (there should be no pressure in the neck).
Use your back muscles to raise yourself further from the ground instead of trying to use leg muscles. Dont fear falling but focus on back muscles.
For those who can already do headstand for less than 5 mins, the key is to relax and not think about it. Breathe naturally.
you will do it more than 5 mins without realizing when you are relaxed and breathing naturally.
Good Luck Guys :)
encouraged this.
Jenna A created the guide Beginner tips for holding a head stand
My tips, for what they're worth:
Andrew M encouraged this.
Steve R 1:08 - new head stand PB - just!
encouraged this.
Life saving equipment for me!!
Nick B encouraged this.
Why not ask for some advice from other Challenge takers, or read some of the Challenge guides first?
OK, I'll keep working at it!
Loading
