Flipping the Script: The Power of Inversion in Yoga and Life
When we step onto the mat, we’re not just moving our bodies—we’re practicing how we move through the world. And inversions? They’re not just about showing off a handstand (adho mukha vrkshāsana), forearm stand (pincha mayurāsana), or a supported headstand (salamba śirsāsana). Sure, those poses are impressive—but the magic of inversions goes way beyond the studio walls.
Think about it: rarely do we associate “flipping upside down” with reimagining social structures, living more compassionately, or reducing harm in the world. But that’s exactly the invitation inversions offer.
Inversions Beyond the Mat
One of the most powerful inversions isn’t even a physical pose—it’s a mudra. Vīparita karani, sometimes translated as “attitudes reversing,” is an ancient reminder from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika: inversion is as much a mindset as a posture.
Every upside-down pose has the potential to flip your perspective, exposing habits, assumptions, and ingrained patterns. Feeling wobbly on your hands? That same sensation of uncertainty can appear when you question old beliefs, speak out against injustice, or make more compassionate life choices. Fear, doubt, and hesitation may arise—but with consistent, safe practice, strength and clarity emerge. What once felt impossible becomes part of your lived experience.
The World in a Handstand
The resilience we cultivate on the mat mirrors how we navigate life. Balancing upside down teaches patience, courage, and adaptability. Facing disorienting challenges in life—whether personal, social, or ethical—can feel just as scary as holding a forearm stand. But the steady, mindful practice of inversion shows us that we can stay rooted even when everything else feels turned upside down.
Energy, Preparation, and Awareness
Like any major shift, preparation is key. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika describes consciousness as beginning in the skull and dissipating outward, often being wasted if not carefully directed. We’ve all felt it: leaving a draining conversation, scrolling endlessly, or consuming media that dulls rather than awakens us. Even a poorly planned yoga practice can leave us more depleted than we started.
A meaningful yoga practice awakens rather than exhausts. Every inversion, every breath, every mindful movement radiates outward, transforming how we show up in the world.
Listening to the Pose
When you’re inverted, take a moment to listen. Let the āsana speak. Notice what shifts—physically, mentally, emotionally. True yoga isn’t about an arsenal of acrobatic tricks; it’s about clearing away the fog of illusion (avidyā) and stepping boldly into truth.
Om Namah Shivaya
One of the most ancient and powerful mantras in yoga, Om Namah Shivaya, perfectly complements this practice.
Word-for-word meaning:
Om – the universal sound, the essence of the universe
Namah – I bow, I honour, I offer my respects
Shivaya – to Shiva, the auspicious one, the supreme consciousness, destroyer of ego and ignorance
Full meaning:
“I bow to Lord Shiva, the embodiment of pure consciousness, auspiciousness, and transformation.”
Chanting this mantra reminds us of surrender, inner peace, and the dissolution of ego - an ideal companion to the inversion practice, both on the mat and in life.
Verse Progression:
C – Om
G – Namah
Am – Shivaya
G – Om
C – Namah Shivaya
Mantra Recitation Example:
Om Namah Shivaya
Shivaaya Namaha Shivaya Namah Om
Shambo Shankara (Girija Shankara)
Namah Shivaya
Arunaachala Shiva Namah Shivaya
Shambo Sadaa Shiva