09 Мар Yoga Alliance Teaching Course: Shirshasana Technique and International Yoga Instructor Certification
Seven Reasons to Stand on Your Head
You can read more about the Yoga Instructor Course on the course website:
kurspoyoge.com
Course registration:
📞 Phone: +380984777777
(Viber / Telegram / WhatsApp)
Yoga Alliance website:
yogaalliance.com.ua
Sirsasana — the “Queen of Asanas” in Yoga
The headstand — Sirsasana (Śīrṣāsana) — is considered one of the most important and well-known asanas in classical Hatha Yoga. In the traditional yoga system it is often called the “Queen of Asanas” because it has a comprehensive influence on almost all systems of the human body.
This asana is widely used both in traditional yoga practice and in modern programs such as yoga for beginners, yoga for the spine, yoga for weight loss, and health restoration practices.
In professional yoga teacher training systems, for example in yoga instructor courses, Sirsasana is studied as an important part of the group of inversion asanas, which change the direction of gravity’s effect on the human body.
Correct execution of the headstand requires an understanding of anatomy, safety techniques, and teaching methodology, which is why in professional yoga instructor training programs it is studied gradually and under the supervision of a teacher.
Let us consider the main reasons why Sirsasana is regarded as one of the most beneficial yoga postures.
1. Improving Blood Circulation to the Brain
Modern people often live under conditions of high mental workload, chronic stress, and insufficient physical activity. Many specialists note that a significant part of the brain’s potential remains unused.
One of the reasons for this is insufficient blood supply to brain cells.
During the practice of a headstand, there is an increased flow of blood and nutrients to the head, which improves the nourishment of neurons.
Regular practice of Sirsasana may contribute to:
• improved memory
• increased concentration
• faster thinking processes
• improved vision
• greater mental clarity
That is why in traditional yoga practice the headstand is often recommended in the morning, when it is necessary to activate the brain.
2. Stimulation of the Hormonal System
The increased blood flow to the head stimulates the work of important endocrine glands:
• hypothalamus
• pituitary gland
• thyroid gland
• parathyroid glands
These glands regulate the hormonal balance of the body, which affects almost all physiological processes.
Regular practice of inversion asanas helps to:
• normalize hormonal balance
• improve endocrine system function
• increase overall energy levels
• improve emotional well-being
For this reason, many yoga teachers include inversion postures in Hatha Yoga programs for beginners and restorative practices.
3. Improvement of Skin and Hair Condition
During the headstand, blood actively flows to the head, face, and neck area.
This leads to an increased supply of:
• oxygen
• vitamins
• trace elements
• nutrients
As a result, the condition of the skin and hair improves.
Regular practice of Sirsasana may contribute to:
• improved complexion
• increased skin elasticity
• reduction of fine wrinkles
• strengthening of hair roots
That is why traditional yoga texts often mention that inversion postures have a rejuvenating effect.
4. Improvement of the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system plays an important role in cleansing the body.
Unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system does not have its own “pump” like the heart. Its movement mainly depends on:
• muscle activity
• breathing
• pressure changes in the body
Modern lifestyles are often associated with low physical activity, which can lead to lymph stagnation.
During the headstand, the direction of fluid movement in the body changes, which helps:
• accelerate lymph flow
• remove metabolic waste products
• cleanse tissues
• strengthen the immune system
That is why inversion postures are often included in yoga programs for detoxification and body recovery.
5. Improvement of Venous Circulation and Prevention of Varicose Veins
Many people suffer from varicose veins and swelling in the legs.
The main reason for this is venous blood stagnation in the lower extremities.
During the headstand, gravity causes a natural outflow of venous blood from the legs and pelvic organs.
This helps to:
• reduce swelling
• decrease venous pressure
• improve circulation
• prevent varicose veins
However, it is important to remember that in the presence of serious vascular diseases, inversion practices should be performed only after consulting a medical specialist.
6. Strengthening the Muscles of the Whole Body
Despite its apparent simplicity, Sirsasana requires the active engagement of many muscles.
During the posture, the following muscle groups work actively:
• shoulder girdle muscles
• back muscles
• core muscles
• neck muscles
• deep stabilizing muscles of the spine
Regular practice contributes to:
• strengthening the muscular corset
• improving posture
• increasing body stability
• developing balance and coordination
That is why the headstand is an important element of Hatha Yoga practice and yoga instructor training.
7. Improving the Position of Internal Organs
With age, many people experience a downward displacement of internal organs, which may lead to various functional disorders.
Inversion postures temporarily change the position of the organs due to gravity.
During the headstand, abdominal organs shift toward the diaphragm, which helps to:
• improve gastrointestinal function
• normalize digestion
• improve intestinal activity
• reduce the feeling of heaviness in the abdomen
Therefore, inversion postures are traditionally used in yoga programs for the spine, health, and body restoration.
Sirsasana in Yoga Instructor Training
In professional yoga instructor training courses, the headstand is studied not only as a posture but also as an important element of teaching methodology.
Future instructors study:
• anatomy of the spine and neck
• safe techniques for entering the posture
• preparatory exercises
• simplified variations
• wall support and student assistance
• contraindications
Special attention is given to practice safety, since incorrect execution of inversion postures can lead to excessive strain on the cervical spine.
That is why in professional yoga instructor training programs Sirsasana is studied gradually — from preparatory postures to the full headstand.
Yoga Instructor Training Courses
If you want to study yoga more deeply and learn how to teach asanas professionally, you can take an international yoga instructor training course — 200 hours.
The course includes:
• fundamentals of Hatha Yoga
• anatomy and physiology
• asana techniques
• pranayama and breathing practices
• meditation
• yoga teaching methodology
• safe class sequencing
• yoga philosophy
After completing the training, you receive an international yoga instructor certificate, which allows you to teach yoga in different countries around the world.
Teacher Training and Certification
The Ukrainian Yoga Alliance is the largest non-profit organization responsible for establishing and maintaining yoga teaching standards in Ukraine.
The main areas of activity of the Alliance include:
•uniting the professional yoga community;
•developing and approving qualification requirements;
•official certification of yoga instructors;
•maintaining the Unified Register of Certified Teachers.
The Ukrainian Yoga Alliance is the largest non-profit organization that establishes and maintains yoga teaching standards in Ukraine.
The main areas of activity of the Alliance include:
•uniting the professional yoga community,
•developing and approving qualification requirements,
•official certification of yoga instructors,
•maintaining the Unified Register of Certified Yoga Teachers.
Training Format and Examination
Within online yoga instructor training courses, students of the Yoga Alliance School undergo mandatory practical and theoretical assessment.
Passing Surya Namaskar is part of the examination process.
A video of the exam, conducted within online courses, is available via the link — click to watch.
You can watch a full video overview of the online course by the Head of the Yoga Alliance, Vladimir Bondarenko, on our YouTube channel by following the link.
Training Locations and Tuition Fees
Branches of the Yoga Alliance School have resumed operations in the following cities:
• Kyiv
• Kharkiv
• Dnipro
• Odesa
• Lviv
• Klaipėda (Lithuania)
• Bansko (Bulgaria)
• Athens (Greece)
• Prague (Czech Republic)
• Torrevieja (Spain)
• Vienna (Austria)
• Cascais (Portugal)
These branches offer continuously running offline yoga instructor training courses led by senior instructors of the Alliance.
Tuition fees:
•online course — 15,500 UAH
•offline course — 17,500 UAH
Since August 2022, instructors who successfully pass examinations with distinction receive the right to train future yoga instructors on behalf of the Yoga Alliance and conduct teacher training courses jointly with the Organization.
Such instructors receive the status of Senior Instructor of the Yoga Alliance and earn 50% of the course fee for each student.
For full details, contact us via Viber / Telegram / WhatsApp:
+380984777777
Training Results
After completing the one-month course and successfully passing the exams, you will:
•receive two international Yoga Alliance certificates registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine;
•obtain the right to teach yoga in more than 100 countries worldwide;
•master a well-structured class format including kriyas, pranayama, and meditation;
•receive lifetime access to video lessons, an application for learning posture names, and 12 balanced printed lesson plans for the first year of teaching;
•receive the “Gold Standard” methodological guide — a detailed manual on asanas, chakras, mudras, bandhas, and key techniques of classical yoga.
Additional Materials
Contacts and Registration
You can read more about the Yoga Instructor Course on the course website:
Course registration:
📞 Phone: +380984777777
(Viber / Telegram / WhatsApp)
Yoga Alliance website: