Handstands can be one of the most exhilarating yet challenging poses in yoga. However, for one of our enthusiastic Redditors, the excitement of mastering the handstand comes with an unexpected side effect: irritation and nausea. In a recent post by user ‘comette’, they shared their struggles with feeling physically unwell after handstand practice—a feeling they’ve experienced consistently, but surprisingly not during the practice itself. This revelation sparked a lively discussion in the comments as fellow yoga practitioners chime in with empathetic advice and suggestions for remedies.
Summary
- Comette experiences nausea and irritability after practicing handstands, despite feeling fine during the exercise.
- Other users offer a mix of yoga poses and adjustments that can help mitigate these negative feelings.
- Common themes include the importance of proper alignment and following certain poses to counterbalance the vigorous energy from inversions.
- Yoga beyond handstands may be beneficial to explore as comette seeks relief.
Understanding Post-Handstand Discomfort
After the exhilaration of conquering a handstand, it’s concerning to hear that some practitioners feel a wave of nausea or irritability. According to comette, they feel “physically cruddy after” their practice, leaving many to wonder why this happens. A few users speculated that incorrect alignment during inversions might irritate the vagus nerve or cranium, which can lead to discomfort. User ‘JaLArtofChill’ hinted that understanding one’s body alignment better could be a key factor. The vagus nerve plays an essential role in regulating bodily functions, and any stimulation or irritation here could result in symptoms like nausea. It’s not uncommon for yoga enthusiasts to overlook alignment while focusing on perfecting poses, leading to unexpected physical reactions!
Recommended Poses for Relief
In response to comette’s original query about poses to alleviate the unpleasant feelings after practicing handstands, several users chimed in with valuable suggestions. For instance, user ‘sbarber4’ mentioned the importance of following inversions with calming poses such as shoulderstand or plow pose, ones that involve a chin lock known as jalandara bandha. This technique aims to balance the stimulation caused by handstands. In the Iyengar tradition, sequences that transition from stimulating poses to calming choices create an equilibrium in the body. Practicing child’s pose, as recommended by user ‘kalayna,’ and forward folds can also help settle the body after a rigorous inversion session. It’s clear that a thoughtful transition between poses can help mitigate the discomfort that comette is experiencing!
Evaluating Practice Intensity
Some responses in the Reddit thread suggest that comette might be overdoing their practice. User ‘mesablueforest’ pointed out that “practicing handstand every day seems a lot,” and perhaps simulating balance and coordination daily could be overwhelming for the body. An overzealous practice can lead to stress and irritation, making it crucial for practitioners to listen to their bodies. User ‘Rehtlew’ advised possibly shortening the time spent upside down, which may help the body adjust. Whether it’s a matter of less practice or frequency of practice, finding a sustainable rhythm is key. Sometimes stepping back from intense routines can provide the much-needed downtime to maintain physical wellness.
The Importance of Self-Inquiry in Yoga Practice
A recurrent theme in the comments was the idea of self-inquiry and reflection on one’s practice. User ‘UrbanSadhuYoga’ encourages individuals to investigate their feelings: “Are you punishing yourself because you think you should be better?” This line of thought is essential; emotional responses can significantly affect our physical feel after practice. The yoga journey is unique for each individual, and it’s crucial to be gentle with oneself, especially when physical or emotional discomfort arises. Taking the time to listen and understand our body can lead to insightful discoveries, not just in handling post-handstand irritation, but in overall practice as well. Investigating options like alternative inversions or varying practice intensities could unveil paths to alleviate irritation.
Overall, comette’s experience reflects the complexities of yoga practice. The dissonance between enjoyment and physical responses can be frustrating, but it also presents an opportunity to explore adjustments and poses that create balance. Amidst discussions, the deeper understanding emerges: yoga is not just about mastering poses but is also about engaging with one’s body and emotions to create harmony within. Exploring different suggestions and evaluating one’s daily practices might not only lead to relief but also enhance the joy that comes with handstands.