Inversions


Upavishtha Konasana Shirshasana (Bound Angle Pose in Head Stand)

Seated Angle Pose in Head Stand
Level: Intermediate

Baddha = bound, tied, fixed, fastened. Kona = angle. Shirsha = the head.

Organizing the Pose


  1. Come into the pose from Salamba Shirshasana 1 (Head Stand 1).
  2. Bring the soles of the feet together into Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose).
  3. Extend the legs.
  4. Seated Angle Pose in Head Stand 2
    Either keep the legs as they are, or descend the feet, folding at the hip crease and reach the legs forward for a slightly different variation.
  5. Hold the pose for 20 to 30 seconds.
  6. If in the first variation, return to Baddha Konasana and then Shirshasana. If in the second, bring the feet into Urdhva Dandasana (Upward Staff Pose).
  7. Either continue on with other Shirshasana variations or come down out of the pose.

Practice Points


  • Keep the wrists stacked up and ground down evenly through the forearms.
  • Stretch down through the triceps into the elbow while stretching up through the biceps.
  • Stretch evenly through the armpits.
  • Broaden the collarbones and balance the weight evenly between them.
  • Widen the neck, throat and upper back.
  • Stretch up evenly through the sides of the waist.
  • Widen and lift the hip creases evenly.
  • Soften and widen the buttocks, abdomen and inner thighs and feet.
  • Soften and spread the pelvic floor and the inner pelvis.
  • Soften and widen the chest, neck and throat.