Introduction to Sheershasana

Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar

Sheersha means top, or head and Asana

means position, pose or posture. Hence

Sheershasana means topsy-turvy pose.

It has to be learned and practiced; in a

gradual, systematic, careful and judicious

manner to get its optimum health benefits.

Steps

1. Get up in morning.2. Make sure that the bowels are

evacuated completely and satisfactorily.

3. Do not eat anything till at least half an hour after finishing the Sheershasana.

4. If possible take bath.5. Take a towel or a napkin and fold

in such way that you can keep it as a soft

and firm support under your head.

6. Sit in a squatting position.7. Keep the folded towel in front.8. Bend and keep your head on

the towel. Rest the hands under your head.

9. Stretch your legs in the knees.10. Gradually bring the feet

closer to you head. You will experience increase in the weight on your head. This is called bhoosheerasana. Do

only this much for about a week.

11. After a week; when you will be able to lift the legs, comfortably, do so. The legs may be lifted half way.

12. After two weeks or so you can easily lift the legs completely and make them straight.

*Sheershasana helps to aid and ease the

blood circulation (which is against gravity in

erect posture) because of gravity.

*Sheershasana helps to prevent tendencies to prolepses/herniations

due to gravity.

*Sheershasana improves the circulation to

the apical regions of the lungs, which do not

get adequate blood supply in erect position.

*Sheershasana builds confidence and improve your body image besides

the possible advantages in inner growth!

Warnings

Do not start alone.

Do not start if you are too heavy.

Do not practice after eating.

Do not practice after alcohol.

Do not give jerks or assume the pose suddenly.

Sheershasana is said to be a king of hatha-yogasanas. But you should

do it only after knowing about it and on

your own responsibility. Do not do it by getting enamored and/or with blind belief.

Do NOT practice in pregnancy, lesion of

neck, high blood pressure, highintraocular pressure and glaucoma

and hiatus hernia.

Do not start suddenly and without guidance.

Do not start on a hard surface and or in the

vicinity of sharp, glass, electric or burning

objects.

Do no teach or practice in very young [Infancy] and very old [senility around

60years] age.

Things You'll NeedA towel, space of about 10 x10 ft,

open mindcuriosity and desire to learn,

experiment and verify.

Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar