Halasana & Viparita Karani
Hala: Plough, asana: pose.
Viparita: the reverse or inverted, Karani: doing or making.
Halasana
As with a lot of postures, there are lots of ways in and lots of variations. We focused on the importance of knowing how much natural flexion your neck has, and going in with control not flinging up and over with the legs. The aim is not to get the feet to touch down or feel stress in the neck. Notice how far the hips can stay away from the shoulders to reduce weight and deep flexion going through the neck. A lot will depend on the weight of the hips and legs and body geometry as to whether the legs will ‘float’ over the head. Never force it, never develop an attachment to making the shape or getting the feet to touch down.
Viparita Karani
An interesting inversion that can translate as the reverse of doing - therefore ‘doing nothing’, or an inversion without doing or no effort. A nice idea and would seem to encourage a passive / supported version. It can be done with flexion or extension in the lower back, supported with the arms or blocks. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika classes it as a Mudra as opposed to an Asana, note that it doesn’t include ‘asana’ in the name unlike most postures.
Ultimately, any version should be at ease, as it is a calming inversion. The flexion at the neck can activate the thyroid.
The stills, click on the right of the picture to scroll through the carousel.
The classes:
Building tricep and shoulder strength with Declan, video
Exploring elements of Halasana week 2 with Declan, 64 mins, video
Exploring elements of Halasana and Viparita Karani, week 3 with Declan 61 mins video
Exploring elements of Halasana and Viparita Karani, week 4 with Declan 59 mins video