hi guys. i have a question about the headstand pose, salamba sirsasana.... i really enjoy practicing this and others but i wonder if it can cause some physical damage... any thoughts are appreciated.
Possibly. Though it's hard to see a neurophysiologist without some problem like migraines. Yet one really should do sirshashana with a full MRI behind them. Obviously if one has had a stroke or it runs in heridity then this is a must. Otherwise it can be bad for compression of spine. One must use all available props if they continue to pursue this. Furthermore it's probably better to do shoulder stands until one feels no change in state of body/mind and then do headstands. Of course the benefits are also there such as flushing the brain with circulation and running the blood with a different posture can flush out toxins especially in the lungs and liver and kidneys. So it again , can be a good practice to take up. The bloodflow to head can also increase visionary flow of endocrines. But then so also can simple pranayam. One caveat for all yoga is the understanding that it's not a sport and you are only really doing it for yourself so many take a slow committment to work with hatha yoga for years, not for weeks or to show off a good asana.