| What is an inverted posture, or an inversion, in a Hatha | | | | disrupt your classes, take risks if they have any |
| Yoga class? Technically, any posture (asana), in which | | | | medical conditions, and will hold you liable if anything |
| the head is below the heart, is an inversion. Whether | | | | goes wrong. |
| you stand on your head, bend forward, or bend back, | | | | The solution: Do not teach students who you have not |
| if the head is below the heart, you are performing an | | | | talked to before class. A student's medical condition is |
| inversion. | | | | information that you must know in order to teach |
| This also means that Downward Dog (Adho Mukha | | | | Yoga safely. In the following cases, inversions should |
| Svanasana) and Fish (Matsyasana) are also inversions | | | | be omitted, adjusted, or modified, depending on the |
| - although both postures are mild in comparison to | | | | health condition of a student. |
| Head Stand (Sirsasana). If you bend back far enough | | | | In the case of neck problems, eye problems, a |
| in Camel (Ustrasana) -that is also an inversion. | | | | previous stroke, high blood pressure, heart problems, |
| This is not meant to beat a dead horse, but inversions | | | | sinus problems, and epilepsy, inverted asanas should |
| are not for everyone. When you perform any Yoga | | | | be omitted, adjusted, or modified. If a student is |
| technique, there should be a clear intention. If the risks | | | | pregnant, she should be practicing with a prenatal |
| outweigh the benefits, there is no logical reason why a | | | | Yoga specialist. |
| teacher or student should practice a technique. The | | | | In the case of menstruation, there is much controversy. |
| following contraindications are specifically related to | | | | About a contraindication for menstruation: At this point, |
| inversions. | | | | there is no hard data or research that would warrant |
| General Guidelines for all Inverted Postures | | | | an official warning. |
| If you have any of the following conditions, please omit | | | | Therefore, it might be wise to let students know about |
| inversions or work with a competent teacher who will | | | | the controversy. Students should be made aware and |
| modify your practice. To identify a competent Yoga | | | | make a decision based upon their own thoughts and |
| teacher is not difficult. Is the teacher really interested in | | | | research. You could easily design an informative |
| his or her students? Is your safety a primary guideline | | | | handout for students and encourage them to research |
| in class? If not, please seek the guidance of a | | | | all of these contraindications. |
| knowledgeable teacher, who cares for his or her | | | | Lastly, never put a student at risk. If you have serious |
| students. | | | | doubts about a student's ability to safely perform an |
| If you are a teacher, you should make it a point to | | | | inverted asana, because of a health issue, you should |
| know about the physical condition of each student. | | | | omit it or insist on a doctor's note. |
| This means that new students, who show up late, | | | | |