Vinyala

Pose sheet

Supported Headstand

Sālamba Śīrṣāsanaसालम्ब शीर्षासन

Balance on your crown and forearms, body vertical and legs together.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Crown, both forearms, and little-finger edges of your hands.

Enter

  1. Kneel; ground your forearms, elbows shoulder-width apart, and interlace your fingers.
  2. Ground your crown; cup the back of your head.
  3. Lift your knees; walk feet closer, bringing hips above shoulders.
  4. Draw knees toward your chest; lift your feet without jumping.
  5. Raise your knees; straighten both legs together toward the ceiling.

Hold

  1. Press your forearms down and lift your shoulders away from the floor.
  2. Gently engage your abdomen; avoid arching your lower back.

Exit

  1. Bend your knees; slowly lower your feet as you exhale.
  2. Lower your knees and rest briefly in Child's Pose.
Breathing
Breathe continuously while holding.
Gaze
Look straight ahead, parallel to the floor.
Duration
1–5 minutes, according to your capacity.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • WallFace away from the wall and rest your heels against it.
  • BlanketPlace it folded beneath your head and both forearms.
  • Dolphin preparationKeep feet and forearms grounded, with your head lifted.

Variations

  • Tripod: crown and palms grounded, forearms vertical.
  • Ūrdhva Daṇḍāsana: legs together and parallel to the floor.
  • Ūrdhva Padmāsana: legs folded into Lotus.

Signals of effort

  • Inversion with weight on your head and forearms.
  • Neither foot grounded.