I completely understand when non-yoga practitioners tell me that they will possibly never try doing yoga in their lives because they are thoroughly intimidated by the contortions and inversions.
At first glance, these postures do seem like feats that can be executed only by acrobats.
I know, because I used to feel the same way when it came to having to stand on my head or raise my leg up over my head. But over the years,
I have come to see that yoga, like any martial art or dance form, is a learned skill. Practice mixed with a lot of patience lead to a perfection that can never be unlearned. Agility, grace, balance and strength are ours by virtue of the fact that we have a healthy body, but what stops us from reaching beyond our limitations is our thought that we cannot. Like all journeys, the route to standing on your head starts when you take a small step. The following is a guide to a simple inverted posture that boosts blood circulation to the brain, clears out your skin, improves heart and lung strength and enhances your moods.
Practise this once a day on an empty stomach and you will start to see a difference that will hopefully motivate you to exceed your limits.
Modified Parvatasana (Mountain Posture)
Caution: Those with high blood pressure, glaucoma, heart issues and vertigo should not attempt this posture.
Come onto all fours on a yoga mat.
Bring your knees and feet close to one another.
Make sure your hands are shoulder-width apart and that your wrists are in line with your shoulders.
Push your palms into the ground, tuck your toes inward, straighten your knees and push your hips towards the ceiling.
Gently lift your heels off the ground.
With every exhalation, pull your belly inwards and up into your ribs.
Raise your right leg up towards the ceiling. Your knee can be slightly bent and your hips need to stay in line.
Hold this pose for eight counts.
Slowly lower the leg and lie flat on your belly for a minute.
Redo these steps with the next leg.
Come back down on all fours and lie on your back for two minutes.
