VIPARITA KARANI ... (Simple Inverted Pose) The all-around best inversion asana in the entire repertoire of Yoga. This posture gives you all of the benefits of a shoulder stand, or even a full headstand, without any of the dangers (mainly to the neck) involved. Most Americans don't seem to take into consideration that they did not come out of the womb in a Lotus position. That's kind of a humorous thing to say, but think about it. Most of the really advanced Yogis have been doing Yoga since they were children. Many are East Indians who began doing inversions shortly after they were born. They have grown up doing the asanas as easily as we Westerners sit in on a couch in front of a TV set (Teleasana?) We simply cannot expect to be able to do some of the more difficult postures without causing some damage to our bodies. Our bodies haven't developed the strength or the flexibility that only years of practice can produce. But Viparita Karani gives us the best of both worlds. It gives us the mind cleansing benefits of a headstand or shoulder stand, without the danger of harming the neck. It also improves our sense of balance, stimulates the thyroid, and relieves tension and energy at the base of the spine.