Inversions, such as the head position (Sirsasana) and the shoulder position (Sarvangasana), are often considered “real” poses by Hatha Yoga practitioners. Some students and teachers consider investments to be of the utmost importance in their personal Hatha Yoga practice.

While there are many benefits to investments, students with pre-existing medical conditions are at unnecessary risk. When we do not have health problems, it is easy to ignore risks and contraindications, but Yoga teachers and students should do their research.

For students who have a history of stroke, within their family or who have had a stroke in the past, the focus of investments should be “Extreme Caution.” Below is a question and answer session on safety measures, contraindications, and information that should be available to Yoga teachers and students alike.

Q: I have a new student who had a stroke last year. I keep hearing warnings and contraindications about “recent strokes”. How recent is recent? What should I know about helping her adopt the wheel pose (Chakrasana), headstand preparation, shoulder position, or any other inversion?

A: About investments for students who are at risk, with pre-existing medical conditions, such as strokes: I would not advise whether the stroke was recent or not.

This person is at extreme risk when taking any position in which he is in a total investment. There is also a great risk whenever you put your head below the level of your heart, either forward or backward, like wheel posture.

Here’s why: Strokes can happen for a variety of reasons. Among these causes, blood clots, broken pieces of arterial plaque, and other masses are causes commonly associated with strokes. Once there is a blockage of blood in the brain, you suffer a stroke, due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients reaching the brain.

Unfortunately, your student has a pre-existing medical condition. I would not turn a student upside down who was in any risk category related to an inverted posture. I know this sounds harsh, but I doubt that your student has your “medical consent.” You may want to insist on it. A “doctor’s note” would be advisable.

This is for their protection and yours as well. In your case, we care about your health, safety and well-being. In your case, if she gets injured, due to participating in your class, she has to live with it; And any resulting lawsuit could test the limits of your liability insurance.

For the record: Other contraindications, for inverted yoga poses, include epilepsy, heart conditions, neck injuries, high blood pressure, glaucoma, and other eye problems. There is also an important debate about whether a student should make full inversions during menstruation and pregnancy. In all these cases, the advice of a physician should be sought.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications