Yoga Inversions – suitable or not?

Are Yoga Inversions Good for You?

Yoga is a very ancient and vast practice. Inversion yoga is part of asana, so before understanding inversion asanas are good for you, we need to understand what inversion means. 

Yoga inversions are considered asanas in which practitioners place the head below their heart and hips. This means that in these postures, practitioners flip the body upside down. So Inversion asanas include Shirshasana, Salamba Shirshasana, Niralamba Shirshasana, Pincha Mayurasana, Adho Mukha svanasana, Sarvangasana, Halasana, etc., and these asanas have become very popular because of their numerous health benefits. Inversion asanas are for strengthening muscles, improving blood circulation, and enhancing mental focus, but they are not suitable for everyone because of some risks associated with these asana categories. 

Risk of Yoga Inversion

Firstly, we need to understand who should avoid Inversion asanas or what type of practitioners should be more cautious while practicing these asanas. 

1. Persons with high blood pressure should avoid these asanas because increased blood circulation towards the head can be dangerous.

2. If neck, shoulder, and spinal injury patients do inversion asanas incorrectly or without proper alignment, then it can lead to severe neck injuries, including cervical spondylosis, herniated discs, and strains.

3. Inversion asanas are not suitable for eye issues related to patients such as glaucoma, etc.

4. Those with osteoporosis, arthritis, etc., should practice cautiously.

5. Brain injuries and Lower-back and spinal issues such as chronic pain, herniated discs, and sciatica patients should avoid these practices. 

6. For Asthma or other breathing disorders patients, practice cautiously; otherwise, it can be risky.

7. Inversion asanas can increase the risk of injuries; that is why you learn under the guidance of an experienced Yoga instructor.

Benefits of Yoga Inversions

Inversion yoga asanas are very beneficial and good for you if you are not suffering from any severe disease or you are learning under the guidance of an experienced yoga instructor. Nowadays, many medical professionals recommend inversion asana as a therapy; it improves blood flow in the body and provides relief for chronic back pain, sciatica, and other conditions.

However, some research suggests that practicing Yoga consistently and incorporating it into your daily lifestyle can effectively boost your health and well-being in each dimension. Let’s understand the benefits of  Inversions yoga asana.

1. Strengthening brain muscles 

Inverted asanas are famous for their positive impact on the brain muscles. When the body is inverted due to gravity, blood flows towards the head region; this helps to increase blood circulation to the brain and improves cognitive function, reducing stress, depression, anxiety, etc. Inversions may also halt the brain’s aging process, which even delays dementia and helps enhance awareness and motor skills.

2. Build strengths.

For Inversion Asana practice, we need core and upper body strength. Through regular asana practice, we get stronger muscles, specifically the core, arms, and shoulders. So, to build strength, it also focuses on your balance and coordination, so we need to practice inversion asana regularly.

3. Improves Thyroid Health

Yoga inversion postures such as Sarvangasana and Halasana can help to improve thyroid issues and reduce thyroid-related symptoms. Inversions activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting necessary thyroid hormone production. These asanas also increase blood circulation to the thyroid glands.

4. Regulates blood pressure  

Through Inversion asana, we can stimulate the body’s force, which helps to manage lower blood pressure. Suppose you practice these types of asanas regularly. In that case, blood flow improves towards the brain, and the reversed blood flow in the Headstand also gives the heart time to rest and recharge, reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems.

5. Reduce toxins from the body.

Inversion practices stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps eliminate toxins from your body; this detoxification process helps rejuvenate your body.

6. Calms the mind

As mentioned in Yoga Sutra 2/47, the asana technique says, “By loosening all efforts and focusing on the Ananta( here ananta can be breath, kundalini energy or endless means infinite), the practitioner can master the asana.”

If we hold any asana or Inversion asana for a few minutes, then for beginner practitioners, it might look hard to practice or the opposite of relaxing. However, these asanas can calm the mind when we practice correctly and consistently. Inversion asana also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and is responsible for rest and calmness. Through Inversion yoga, we can relax, quiet the mind, and release all sorts of tension.

So, according to your body, we must understand whether Inversion asanas are good for you. The answer is both: inversion asana can be both good and bad. 

These asanas give lots of physical and mental benefits. Still, you need to understand your body’s requirements and do these asanas with proper techniques and safety under the guidance of an experienced Yoga instructor or teacher. Always prioritize safety, try to listen to your body, and consult your instructor before practice.

The most crucial aspect of any inversion yoga is comfort. You can practice or hold any Inversion asana for any time; as long as your body remains steady, you feel comfortable, and all efforts are getting less to maintain the asana, then only your Yoga journey becomes smooth. Inversion asanas are good for you, but if you are already suffering from any disease or any severe health-related problem or you are not using proper techniques, then these asanas are not meant for you.