Viparita Karani in Wilsons Prom

Look no further for a simple healing technique: This is THE pose of rejuvenation.

Also known as ‘legs up the wall’, the benefits of Viparita Karani are both instant and accumulative over time.

HOW:

Find a wall, door, bed head or rock face (!); crouch down low next to the wall in a side-facing squat - nice and close to the wall; then sit on your bum with your knees bent and feet out in front of you; pivot and roll on to your back while lifting your legs up the wall; bring your hands to your belly and breath naturally with a little extra depth so that you can feel your breath moving into your belly.

This is a restorative variation that can be done daily. If you choose to elevate your hips on a cushion, it will invert your heart and head, which can be extra rejuvenating but requires caution for mensuration, blood pressure and eye conditions.

WHY:

The ancient texts providing the source data for the practices of Yoga claim the benefits are so great that it can turn back the effects of time on your body and thus is sometimes also referred to as the ‘fountain of youth’.

But here’s my take:

• Increase blood circulation

  Part of the cardiovascular system, your blood contains a rich source of nutrients essential for forming healthy cells, tissues and organs and can protect you against disease. Ayurveda (the ancient life Science of India) considers blood as a vehicle for invigoration of the body with vitality and healing.

  With your legs elevated up the wall you encourage blood flow into the pelvis: flooding the digestive and reproductive organs with vitality and healing.

  If you elevate your hips too (on a bolster eg) you will further promote the cardiovascular system (including the heart); promoting blood flow right up into your brain: and so flushing you from toe to head in vitality!

• Increase lymphatic circulation

  The lymphatic system helps rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. Lymph is a fluid that can fight infection through out the body. Ayurveda refers to lymph as “juice” - offering nourishment and protection.

  Unlike the circulatory system, you do not have a pump for the lymphatic system. Viparita Karani (and other inversions) encourage gravity to circulate lymph and therefore nourish the body.

• Stress relief

  This is important. Stress is a major contributor of imbalance and disease. Ayurveda considers it THE key factor associated to disease.

  When we are stressed, in pain or in fear our body responds in a state known as the Sympathetic Nervous System: providing hormones such as adrenaline to help us in “fight or flight”. Prolonged exposure in this state is detrimental to your health and is known to cause: anxiety; depression; head aches or migraine; digestive disorders; and insomnia.

  This pose (and all restorative poses) signal to your body a state of rest and release (parasympathetic nervous system). Combined with belly breathing, mindfulness this pose if the is the ultimate self-care tool.

  Even if you don’t feel stressed, this pose will strengthen your parasympathetic nervous system acting as a preventative cure to disease.

Why am I on a rock doing this pose?

This weekend I enjoyed a trip to Wilsons Prom with Patrick. We decided to follow our nose and take the turn offs on instinct rather than planning our trip. The approach worked well on the first day as we found: roaring and secluded beaches; white, soft sand decorated with shells and drift wood; sand dunes and cliffs that were ripe for jumping off (not my idea - just saying).

The second day of following our nose led us into an unexpected hike up and down a couple of mountains…

Even though we were rewarded with a nifty supply of fresh water to refill our bottle AND a swim in a large rock pool - the hike was pretty intense. I was feeling completely wrecked when we reached the summit with an intense stomach ache coupled with hill-hiking fatigue. I wanted to cry! …and so I found a spot to rest in Viparita Karani.

The second I got into this pose I had instant relief from both pain and fatigue. The relief was so over-whemling that I insisted on Patrick taking a photo so that I could share this story with you.