The head stand is a pose that is an inversion posture of standing head up. The technique is used in different settings, like yoga

Yoga

Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...

, breakdancing and beginner gymnastics

Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...

.

In Yoga

The head stand is called Sirsasana or Sirshasana in Hatha yoga

Hatha yoga

Hatha yoga , also called hatha vidya , is a system of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a Hindu sage of 15th century India, and compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika....

.
Although some believe the act of a headstand can increase memory due to "increasing" blood flow to the brain, the act actually pools blood in the head due to gravity greatly increasing the blood pressure to over 150/110. The increased blood pressure is due to the fact the body is designed to be upright and has no mechanism for pumping out blood from the head during a headstand. The increased blood pressure in the head can be damaging to weaker blood vessels, such as those in the eye, which may rupture. To this point there has been no legitimate research on the effects of regularly practicing headstands, but it does seem to be advantageous to core muscles as they can be trained in a fashion they aren't used to.

In Breakdance

Breakdancing features a number of moves that feature balancing on one's forehead. Headstands can lead into a headspin

Headspin

A headspin is an athletic move in which a person balances on their head while rotating along the vertical axis of their body, usually without any other form of support. The move is commonly employed in the Afro-Brazilian martial art Capoeira and in breakdancing...

 or act as a stand alone freeze move. Different from the yoga style, headstands ideally culminate with taking the hands off the floor and entirely supporting oneself with the head.

In Gymnastics

The headstand, although not an "official skill" is used in gymnastics as a precursor to many skills such as the handstand, headspring, etc. A gymnastics headstand can be done in any way; head only, head plus forearms, or head plus hands. Although it is often entered via a press, it can also be jumped into, although this is extremely dangerous. To have perfect technique, you should get both your hands and your head in a triangle shape, then kick up and point the toes.

External links

• A video of a head stand
• Variety of Comedy Freeze Photos
• Freeze and Headstand Tutorial