Vinyala

Pose sheet

One-Legged Headstand

Eka Pāda Śīrṣāsanaएकपादशीर्षासन

Balance on your head and forearms; lower one foot forward, keeping the other leg vertical.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Crown, forearms, pinky edges of hands, and toes of lowered foot.

Enter

  1. Kneel; ground forearms, place elbows shoulder-width apart, and interlace fingers.
  2. Ground your crown; walk inward, tuck knees, and lift without momentum.
  3. Establish Śīrṣāsana with both legs vertical.
  4. Exhale; lower one straight leg forward, keeping the other vertical.
  5. Rest your toes on the floor in front of your head.

Hold

  1. Press your forearms down and lift your shoulders away from the floor.
  2. Keep the raised leg vertical and both knees straight.
  3. Align your knees and toes; avoid letting them tilt sideways.
  4. Engage your abdomen and keep your pelvis from rotating.

Exit

  1. Exhale; lift the straight leg back into Śīrṣāsana.
  2. Steady yourself; repeat with the other leg for the same duration.
  3. Tuck knees, slowly lower feet, and rest in Child’s Pose.
Breathing
Breathe deeply while holding; exhale when lowering and raising the leg.
Gaze
Eyes open while learning.
Duration
10–20 seconds per side.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • Partial descentLower only while the raised leg stays vertical; stop above the floor.
  • WallWall behind your back; keep one foot on the floor.
  • Folded blanketFold it beneath your head and both forearms.

Variations

  • Pārśvaikapāda Śīrṣāsana: lower one leg sideways to the floor.
  • Parivṛttaikapāda Śīrṣāsana: scissor your legs and rotate your torso.

Signals of effort

  • Inverted, with weight on your head and forearms.
  • Asymmetric legs: one vertical and one lowered.
  • Hip flexion with the knee straight.