King of all

The lawn outside our condo in Kauai turned out to be a perfect spot for some yoga. On the last day of our trip, I soaked up every last drop of Hawaiian sunshine while practicing my headstands. This pose is considered to be the King of all Yoga Poses.

Here are some of the many health benefits of turning your body upside down:

*Reverses the gravitational pull on the organs, helping to cleanse them and overcome problems in the liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines, and reproductive system  

 *Revitalizes the entire body and stimulates the mind to help with insomnia, anxiety and stress

*Relieves pressure on the heart and allows new, pure blood to easily flow to the brain

*Ensures healthier and more effective lung tissue

*Stimulates the nervous, endocrine, lymphatic, and cardiovascular systems

Also, it is said that this pose is especially beneficial for people who are...ahem...control freaks since it forces you out of your comfort zone and literally turns your world upside down. I've been doing headstands consistently for about 4 years and unassisted (without a wall) for about 3. It took me 8 months to build back up to them after my spine surgery and they aren't recommended for people with slipped discs unless you have adequate shoulder, arm and core strength. It's important to note that people who have high blood pressure or heart problems should not practice headstands. 

Does anyone else have a love affair with headstands? Notice any difference in your health or mood after doing them? I'd love to hear about it. 

Oh yeah, and husband pretty much masters everything he attempts on his first try so after he took these photos, he decided to give one a shot.

Umm...perfect form the first time. Who IS this man?!