My first challenge of 2011.....

I got my first challenge of year 2011 - to do headstand

I've been learning yoga for quite some time already & still not ready for headstand.

This year is the year to challenge myself to do it & practise it until it become perfect....

There are many advantages of practising headstand (i extract the following from http://www.holisticonline.com/yoga/hol_yoga_pos_headstand.htm)


Benefits

1. The headstand increases circulation to the brain, which causes improved brain function (intelligence and memory) and increased vitality and confidence.
2. It improves many ailments, such as nervousness, tension, fatigue, sleeplessness, dullness, fear, poor blood circulation, bad memory, asthma, headaches, constipation, congested throat, liver or spleen, for female disorders, the initial stages of eye and nose troubles, and general lack of energy, vitality or self confidence.
3. It stimulates four of the most important endocrine glands - the pituitary, the pineal, the thyroid, and the parathyroid glands that are responsible for our very existence, for they keep the body mechanism in good working order. Pituitary gland is called the master gland of the body. As a consequence, the practice of the headstand helps us to get relief from many of our troubles, physical as well as mental, or to prevent them. It has a very beneficial effect on the whole body.
4. It promotes hair growth by increasing circulation to the scalp.
5. It helps to put the spine into correct alignment.
6. It restores the position of vital organs by reversing gravity.
7. The quality of sleep is improved. Poor sleep is often due to an excess of nerve impulses from the reticular formation to the cerebral cortex in the brain. The headstand causes an increase in circulation to the neck, which stimulates the baroreceptors in the neck. This calms the reticular formation down, causing reduced nerve impulses to the cerebral cortex. This results in a peaceful, deep steep.

Because of the many benefits of the headstand, the yogis often refer to it as the 'king of the asanas'.

Because of the many benefits...I gotta challenge myself to master it!!!