Inversions Explained

Why Your Body Craves Being Upside Down

Let's be honest – the first time someone suggested trying a handstand, most of us probably looked at them like they'd just asked us to perform rocket science while blindfolded.

Inversions can feel intimidating, mysterious, and frankly, a bit bonkers.

But here's the thing: turning your world upside down might be exactly what your body and mind has been craving.

What Actually Happens When You Go Upside Down?

When we flip our perspective – literally – we're not just showing off for Instagram. We're giving our entire system a powerful reset that ancient yogis understood long before modern science caught up.

The circulation game-changer: Think about it – your heart works overtime every single day, pumping blood against gravity to reach your brain and extremities. When you invert, gravity becomes your friend instead of your nemesis. Blood flows effortlessly back to your heart, giving it a well-deserved breather while flooding your brain with fresh, oxygenated goodness.

Your lymphatic system's favourite trick: That often-forgotten network responsible for clearing toxins from your body? It gets a serious boost when you're upside down. Unlike your circulatory system, your lymphatic system doesn't have a pump – it relies on movement and gravity. Inversions are like hitting the turbo button for detoxification.

Hormonal harmony: Here's where it gets really interesting. Inversions stimulate your pituitary and pineal glands – essentially your body's hormone headquarters. The gentle pressure created when you're inverted can trigger the release of hormones that regulate everything from your sleep cycle to your mood. It's like a natural pharmacy, accessed simply by changing your relationship with gravity.

The Mental Magic of Going Upside Down

Beyond the physical benefits, there's something profoundly transformative about literally turning your world upside down. When everything you know as "normal" gets flipped, your mind has to adapt, recalibrate, and find a new way of being present.

Perspective shift: As the first document beautifully puts it, "when we turn our bodies upside down, we are literally turning our world upside down." This physical disorientation requires us to access parts of our psyche we might not usually tap into. It's a masterclass in letting go and surrendering to something bigger than our usual patterns.

Heart over head: When your heart sits higher than your head, something magical happens. Your intuitive, feeling brain takes precedence over your analytical, judging mind. It's a gentle reminder that maybe – just maybe – we don't always need to overthink everything.

Your Inversion Toolkit: From Gentle to "Did I Really Just Do That?"

Viparita Karani (Legs Up the Wall): The “gateway drug” of inversions. Lie on your back, scoot your bum close to a wall, and let your legs rest up against it. This gentle inversion gives you all the circulation benefits without any of the intimidation factor. Perfect for ending a long day or when you need a quick nervous system reset.

Adho Mukha Vrikshasana (Handstand): The rockstar of inversions. David's guide reminds us to start with a solid wall for support, keep those hands shoulder-width apart (use a yoga block to check), and remember – it's all about getting your hips over your shoulders. The wall is your friend, not a sign of weakness.

Sirshasana (Headstand): Known as the "king of asanas" for good reason. This pose stimulates your crown chakra and can genuinely shift your consciousness. David's tip about the "tri-pod" method is gold – keep those arms no wider than your shoulders, and never hold for more than 3 minutes without a break.

Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Stand): The elegant middle ground between handstand and headstand. Start in that plank position with forearms parallel, and remember – you're always in control of how far you take it.

MADRE’s team going upside-down

Pictured from left (Emily, Tam, Kirsty, Tam again)

Safety First: Your Upside-Down Commandments

David Ramcharran, our inversions workshop leader and seasoned yoga teacher with over 1,000 hours of training including advanced work with Sri Dharma Mittra, brings decades of experience to guide us safely upside down.

Wall wisdom: As David wisely notes, "constant and mindful practice will get you into these asanas much safer and faster." Start with wall support and gradually move away as you find your balance. No heroes here – just smart progression.

Listen to your body: Never jump into inversions, and if you're menstruating, it might be best to skip them entirely as they can disturb the natural downward flow of energy.

Breathe through it: “The moment you hold your breath in an inversion is the moment you need to come down. Your breath is your guide, your safety net, and your best teacher”, he explaines.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

In our constantly plugged-in, feet-firmly-on-the-ground world, inversions offer something radical – a return to wonder, to playfulness, to the understanding that our bodies are capable of far more than we give them credit for.

They remind us that sometimes the solution to feeling stuck isn't to push harder in the same direction, but to completely flip our perspective. Whether you're dealing with stress, low energy, or just feeling a bit flat, inversions offer a natural, accessible way to shift your state – no supplements, no complicated equipment, just you and gravity having a beautiful dance together.

David Ramcharran in Pincha Mayurasana

Ready to Turn Your World Upside Down?

Start small. Try legs up the wall tonight after work. Feel the relief as your nervous system downshifts from the day's chaos. Notice how your breathing naturally deepens, how your shoulders melt away from your ears.

From there, maybe you'll feel called to explore a supported headstand against the wall, or perhaps you'll discover that handstands make you feel like the superhero you secretly always knew you were.

Remember – this isn't about perfection or achieving the perfect Instagram shot. It's about reconnecting with your body's innate wisdom, shifting your perspective (literally and metaphorically), and accessing a natural high that comes from working with, rather than against, the fundamental forces of nature.

Your journey with inversions doesn't need to be linear, and it certainly doesn't need to look like anyone else's. It just needs to be yours.

Are you Ready to explore inversions in a supported, community setting?

Join us for our next inversions workshop where we'll guide you safely through these transformative practices.

Because sometimes, the best way to find your feet is to completely lose them.

Book our upcoming Yoga Inversions workshop on 13th September with David Ramcharran here.