Inversion therapy is a truly uplifting experience

This can be achieved by simply by altering one’s perspective, literally.

Whether you’re just elevating your legs against a wall, or you finally go for your first unsupported headstand in yoga class, inversions are a great way to both calm and reinvigorate.

It also gives the upper body a chance to balance itself out with the lower half, which is more often supporting us.

The Hundred Pilates Studio instructor Walid Tebarki – who loves to take clients onto the Pilates Cadillac, among other Pilates machinery, for a dose of Inversion Therapy – says it is great fun.

“Once clients get over all the fear, anxiety, rejection/doubt, excitement and butterflies, it’s crazy to see their face and the attitude of the body," said Tebarki.

“Once they’ve gone through these emotional steps, and finally done it, they suddenly become somebody else, like children again. Suddenly, they realise that they can do anything.

“So certainly it’s fun, builds balance and confidence, but also the attempt itself of doing it builds focus – I can see them concentrating so hard.”

You can see how going through such a rollercoaster of emotions in the wake of an impending challenge can be likened to life itself and the things we are faced with on the day-to-day.

Inversions truly are character building.

Tebarki adds: “I teach a lot of things, but there’s seriously something special about inversions – handstands, headstands, whatever – people sometimes say ‘Thank you’ after they’ve done it. To me, it’s like ‘hello, it’s just an inversion’, but I guess it changes their life.”

Benefits of inversions 

• Can be either calming to the nervous system or energising and invigorating (depending on the pose, level/ability of student, length of time held, intention/attention, breath, and the placement of the inversions within the session sequence)
• Gravity provides the brain more oxygen and blood, thus increasing mental functioning, improving concentration, memory, and processing abilities.
• Works wonders for blood circulation (hence it is able to reduce swelling in areas such as the feet and legs, and relieve pressure from varicose veins), plus assists in the workings of the immune system, clearing waste from cells and tissues, and circulating antibodies to better prevent illness.
• Can improve digestion. 
• Reduces the usual stresses on the spinal column by making the muscles in the opposite direction. Benefits respiration Shifts one’s energy and mood through altering one’s perspectives; has been known to aid depression.
• Strengthens upper body Enhances body awareness, and helps develop mindfulness/concentration
• Improves coordination and balance.
• Builds confidence.

Contraindications

• Eye problems (affected by increased inter-ocular pressure).
• History of stroke, high blood pressure.
• Menstruation Pregnancy (may be appropriate in first trimester or if the student has a consistent yoga or Pilates practice, including inversions).
• Serious osteoporosis.
• Wrist, shoulder and neck problems or weakness.