Yoga offers a variety of health benefits. Each type of asana offers its own benefits to the body and mind. Inversions help to increase blood flow and improve circulation in the body, aid in digestion, boost the immune system and remove toxins from the body. These poses also help to calm the body and improve focus and concentration.
Although headstand may come to mind, there are inversions used in all levels of yoga practice. The inversions include downward facing dog, inverted lake, shoulderstand, half shoulderstand, headstand, and others. Even legs up the wall pose or lying with the legs on a chair are inversions.
Inversions are also good for the immune system because these poses help to stimulate the lymphatic system. Turning the body upside down in inverted poses helps to move lymph through the body, which plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system and removing toxins from the body.
This is also why inversions are used in detox yoga classes. The lymph in the blood is moved through the body and helps to remove toxins from the blood and tissues throughout the entire body. This is one reason people feel healthier and lighter after beginning a regular yoga practice.
In addition to the many physical benefits of inversions, there are mental and emotional benefits as well. Inversions help to calm and clear the mind and body. Inversions are beneficial for lifting the mood and may help with mild depression.
Turning the body upside down also helps to increase focus and concentration. It takes focus to achieve and maintain inversions, particularly the more difficult asanas. These poses help to increase focus on and off the mat.
Remember to stick to inversions that are at your level of practice. Don’t push yourself to perform asanas beyond your level, such as shoulderstand or headstand. Work on the preparatory poses for these more advanced inversions and always go at your own pace. You will still reap the benefits with less difficult inversions.