Improve Your Balance And Overall Strength With Inversions Sequence

The inversions sequence in yoga consists of a series of ten yoga poses and workouts which are practiced one after the other. The series of inversions begins with headstand or salamba sirsasana followed by plow pose or halasana, shoulderstand or salamba sarvangasana, shoulderstand variation I, shoulderstand variation II, plow pose or halasana, ear pressure pose or karnapidasana, fish pose or matsyasana, fish variation I and fish variation II. The sequence of yoga inversions forms a part of the intermediate workouts. They are not for beginners. Especially, the yoga poses such as the headstand, the plow pose and the shoulderstand are for intermediate students of yoga.

Inversions sequence begins with a headstand which is also known as salamba sirsasana. It is very beneficial. It keeps the mind peaceful and makes the spine, legs, and arms strong. It also develops balance. While doing this yoga posture for the first few times, you should practice it at the wall. Then, gradually you should move away from the wall and make an effort to move foot one by one away off the wall to gain balance.

Plow pose or Halasana helps in stretching the spine and shoulders. You need to lie on your back to do this pose. Lift your legs over your head so that it touches the floor at the back of your head. The arms should be straight and the fingers should be placed at the back. If the legs do not touch the floor at first, try the pose at the wall.

The next in the inversions sequence is the shoulderstand or the salamba sarvangasana. The benefit of this posture is that it helps in stretching the neck and shoulders. It should be done with a prop placed below the shoulders. This helps in stretching of the neck without experiencing any crunch and enhances the position of the posture. Hold the back with your fingers and try to lift your legs in the direction of the ceiling. You can lift the legs one by one or at the same time. You should come out of it through the plow pose.

In shoulderstand variation I, the legs should be in the position of a broad straddle.

The soles of your feet should be brought jointly in shoulderstand variation II. After this, you have to come back to plow pose again.

Ear pressure pose is done by bringing the knees down to the floor and by holding them close to the ears.

Fish pose is just the opposite of shoulderstand. It helps in opening the throat and chest. It is followed by fish variation I and II. The last pose in the inversions sequence is fish variation II.

The yoga for abs series also includes a sequence of 10 poses. It helps in building the central part of the body strong, which in turn, relieves you from backache and also makes your abs flat. It helps in strengthening and toning the abdomen. It improves the posture of your body.

The ashtanga sun salutation is also sometimes known as moon salutation. It consists of ten postures.

The inversions sequence, thus, brings peace to mind and strengthens the legs, arms, and spine; it also stretches the neck, spine, and shoulders besides improving the balance.