The benefits of being UPSIDE DOWN
Give boring workouts the flip with this new spin on feel-good exercises
Do you remember doing handstands or hanging off monkey bars as a kid? Well, it turns out that being upside down is good for adults, too. Known as inversions, upside down poses feature in many classic yoga moves, and the best part is that anyone can do them.
“In yoga, an inversion is classified as any postures or ‘asanas’ where your head is below your heart and hips,” explains Kate Kendall, co-founder and yoga director at Flow Athletic (flowathletic.com.au). “It’s also any pose where your heart is higher from the ground than your head.”
The benefits vary, depending on the pose. “Some are specifically great for digestion and others are great for boosting energy,” Kendall says. Other benefits can include increased circulation and stronger muscles, while more challenging poses can also promote emotional growth.
You don’t have to be an expert yogi to do them as there are inversions to suit everyone. However, Kendall advises you should skip them at certain times, such as when recovering from illness, while menstruating heavily, during pregnancy and after a main meal. Kendall says the best way to get started is in a group setting with an experienced teacher.
You may also find that you prefer different inversions at various times of the day. “Some inversions, like handstands and headstands, are great for a morning practice,” she says. “And some are perfect for winding down, like the shoulder stand or legs up the wall.”