| The roots of Ashtanga Yoga lie in the ancient Hindu | | | | Baddha Hasta Shirshasana D: This variation of the |
| texts, but it reached it present day fame under the | | | | baddha hasta only has the head and elbows on the |
| wings of the well renowned master, Sri K. Pattabhi | | | | floor, whereas the hands are placed on the shoulders. |
| Jois. The key features of Ashtanga include the flow | | | | The supported headstands provide the yogi support to |
| between postures and the inversions practiced in a | | | | achieve balance while focusing the weight on the head. |
| session that promotes blood circulation and sweating | | | | The Niralamba or Unsupported Shirshasanas are even |
| for purification purposes. The inverted poses or | | | | more advanced than the Baddha Hasta Shirshasanas |
| headstands are practiced based on the level of | | | | as they do not allow the hands to support the head at |
| command the yogi possesses. There are seven | | | | all. These headstands include: |
| headstands or Shirshasanas and are performed at the | | | | Mukta Hasta Shirshasana A: This headstand is the |
| end of an Ashtanga session. | | | | most basic of the Mukta Hasta series and creates the |
| The Headstands are broken down into two sections, | | | | image of a tripod, as the arms are stretched out |
| one with the hands bound and supporting the head, | | | | straight at shoulder width with the palms facing up. |
| and the second with the hands free and not supporting | | | | Being a highly advanced pose, most yogis utilize props |
| the head. These headstands are most commonly | | | | such as pillows under the head before they gain |
| done after the downward facing dog pose. The | | | | complete command over the posture. |
| Salamba or Supported Shirshasanas include: | | | | Mukta Hasta Shirshasana B: More complex than |
| Baddha Hasta Shirshasana A: The words Baddha | | | | Mukta hasta A, this variation resembles a forklift. The |
| Hasta are literally translated into Bound Hands. In this | | | | arms are held out straight with palms facing upwards. |
| headstand, the hands are clasped behind the head in | | | | They are held apart from each other at about a 60 |
| order to create a hand base where the head can be | | | | degree angle. This headstand requires a lot of practice |
| supported. | | | | as it is a hard to achieve posture. |
| Baddha Hasta Shirshasana B: This version has the | | | | Mukta Hasta Shirshasana C: This is the most |
| yogi with the arms out front with both hands clasping | | | | challenging and hard to accomplish headstand and |
| the opposite elbow. | | | | often requires years of practice before one can gain |
| | | | mastery over it. For this asana, the arms are held out |
| Baddha Hasta Shirshasana C: The posture is further | | | | straight at 180 degrees from each other and the palms |
| altered to attain the pose that is very close to the | | | | are placed on the floor face down. The elbows have |
| Peacock pose. The difference between them is that | | | | to remain straight as well and can prove to be quite an |
| the head remains on the floor instead of raising it | | | | ordeal to accomplish. |
| above your shoulders as is done in the Peacock pose. | | | | Gaining mastery of these seven headstands is often |
| The forearms are placed parallel to each other with | | | | considered to be a major landmark that differentiates |
| the hands palms down flat on the floor. | | | | beginner and intermediate yogis from the masters. |