Names
Dwi Pada Greevasan, Dwi Pada Sirsasana
How to perform Dwi Pada Sirsasana
Sit straight in Dandasana, with your legs stretched out in front of you. Exhale through the nose and hold your hand in front of it, thus checking which nostril is active. If the right nostril is active, you start with the right leg, if the left nostril is active, start with the left leg.
You bend the knee of the active side, grab the ankle, bring it over your head and place it slowly on your neck with exhalation. Slowly do the same with your second leg and place it on top of the first leg.
Benefits of Dwi Pada Sirsasana
Practicing this yoga posture increases the blood flow and improves hemoglobin levels in the blood. When blood moves slowly, toxins are often left behind. Through the faster flow of blood, toxins are removed and your blood is thus cleaned. Dwi Pada Sirsana helps those suffering from anemia and also from nervous trembling.
Dwi Pada Sirsasana activates the fire in you and thus helps your digestion to work properly and gives relief to diabetes patients. This fire is related to the third chakra, our activity and enthusiasm.
Of course it is also one of the best exercises for flexibility.
Focus Points
You may not get very far into the posture in the beginning of your practice and of course the first focus will be to get your legs over your neck. After that you can concentrate on straightening your spine and then to relax in the yoga pose. Continue breathing evenly and smile.
Tips and Help
If you would like to make the yoga pose more advanced, you can place your palms on your sides and lift your body up into the air.
When to Avoid Dwi Pada Sirsasana
People with spinal injuries and problems in knees or hips should not perform this yoga pose. You can consult your doctor whether it is safe for you to do it.
Remember that this is an intensive pose that can lead to overstretch and injuries if you force yourself into it.