How to do Sirsasana | Headstand in Ashtanga Yoga

Near the end of your Ashtanga practice, Sirsasana is a long-held inversion that allows you to calm your body and nervous system. With the right setup and alignment, you can find ease and contentment in this pose!

In this video, we show you how to do SIRSASANA \ HEADSTAND from Ashtanga Yoga’s Closing Sequence. You’ll see the traditional vinyasa cues and how to get into the full expression of this pose, no matter your experience level. You’ll learn how to set up your hands, forearms, and head before inverting so you can support your weight properly and allow your neck to stay nice and long during this extended hold. You’ll then learn where to position your hips as you come up into the full inversion. We also share modifications you can try if coming up with straight legs is still challenging or the full inversion isn’t accessible. You’ll get tips and suggestions to help maintain the hold as well as what to focus on to make sure you’re always practicing it safely.

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Disclaimer: David & Jelena Yoga LLC strongly recommends that you consult with your physician before beginning any exercise program. You should be in good physical condition and be able to participate in the exercise. You should understand that when participating in any exercise or exercise program, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this exercise or exercise program, you agree that you do so at your own risk, are voluntarily participating in these activities, assume all risk of injury to yourself, and agree to release and discharge

[vasumathibalaji]

Thank You! I was doing Sirsasana for years but never felt this confident. Watching your tutoring calms me down completelty to settle/lock in the perfect sirsasana pose!

[Pema_yang]

The best headstand tutorial I have ever seen

[sammer]

Yay Connie! More Connie!

I have been waiting for this one thank you so much y'all! Goal of 2023 is a handstand🙏

[datschist]

I enjoy your well explained Ashtanga tutorials very much. The only thing I'm missing in this one is the explanation of an "exit strategy" if you fall over. I don't know why, but most Yoga teachers conceal this topic. In the gymnastics sector You learn at the beginning how to proceed if You loose balance and this helps very to get rid of the fear from falling over! Even if exiting shirshasana backwards is not Ashtanga style ;) it helps a lot on the way to a perfect straight headstand.

[sarahanntecson]

This is a channel I would suggest to people who want to learn techniques and poses intensively. Thank you David and Jelena!

[GCATLiving]

Love love LOVE that you are breaking down these poses into stages so we can slowly work towards doing the full form. Thank you thank you thank you!

[laurabutie]

Thank you for breaking down the headstand so clearly. I would love to find out how to raise my head in the headstand! Count me in on that tutorial and in the meantime have a lovely holiday season.

[palesambele]

Love the tutorial but mostly Connie❤️😍

[angiemcdouall]

Thanks so much to you both, your tutorials are amazingly helpful. As you proposed, I would love to see a tutorial on the headstand lifting the head. Blessings to you both for your dedication and generosity.

[govindannairramachandran]

I already doing with some modified version. But your toturial gives me a lot of confidence. Thanks to both of you. Namasthe

[Dr_aovana_timmerman_endo]

Great tip on the fingers and also on squeezing your legs together!

[jykl]

Thanks David and Jelena you are awesome.

[jitendrapurohit]

David and jeiena your headstand tutorial very helpfull for ashtanga yoga practitioner its an amazing.

[cyanemassue]

Amazing help for my practice. You guys are amazing. Such good vibes and so loving. Besides the apparent excellent pedagogic skills😊 That's what Yoga teaching is about. Thank you for so generously sharing your knowledge. Much gratitude❤️

[prettymspili]

Thank you ❣️ its refreshing to have a pet in your videos 🐾🐶

[yeragonzalez]

Thank you, I have been following you for a while, its always good. I learn a lot from you!

[ArlinDixon]

Thank you so much for these videos! I'd love to see a tutorial on the opening and closing chant.

[oliviercolard]

Love your tutorial ! Love Connie as well ! Expect to see a more participating Connie for the downdog tutorial ! 😀😀😀

[anntaylor]

I think this is the best explanation on the internet. Thank you guys ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[michaelmmm]

Great explanation! I particularly liked the shots of Jelena’s muscles flexing, because it gives me a better sense of how much muscular effort is going into the work. Also, great tip about puffing the the upper back; and again a great shot of that in action. Thank you.