Turning Your World Right Side Up by Going Upside Down

When was the last time you went upside down? It might sound like a strange question—or like a challenge only for the super flexible—but going upside down, or practicing viparita (the Sanskrit word for inversions), can be gentle, accessible, and deeply nourishing for your body and mind. You don’t have to hang off the walls or balance on your head to reap the benefits. Even simple movements and mindful moments can turn things around in the best way.

Imagine sitting in a chair, the steady support beneath you, and then slowly hinging at the hips to fold forward. Letting the very top of your head drift toward the floor, like a magnet pulling you down. You might spread your legs a bit wider to lower yourself more fully. Or perhaps you’re standing and folding forward, allowing your hands to reach down and your head to relax heavy and soft. This small, kind inversion reverses the usual pull of gravity on your body and invites fresh movement through your muscles and organs.

When you turn your body upside down, even lightly, the blood flows differently. Your cells move in new ways. The lymphatic system, which helps clear out toxins and keep your immune system strong, gets a gentle boost. Your mind benefits too: the usual mental chatter shifts, and curiosity can ignite. It’s like hitting a reset button—your perspective, your energy, your whole being gets stirred awake.

You don’t have to be a yoga pro to enjoy viparitas. You can lie in bed and lift your legs up the wall or raise your arms overhead. Gentle and simple, this already counts as an inversion. It’s a loving way to reduce stress, calm anxiety, and support your nervous system. These gentle shifts invite a sense of ease and presence, reminding your mind and body that there’s always space to breathe and change.

What’s beautiful about going upside down is that it mirrors life itself—sometimes we need to flip things on their head to see clearly. Maybe you feel stuck or weighed down by old stories or shame. When you pause to turn your body around, you’re also giving yourself permission to turn your inner world with gentle intention. It opens a door to honesty and vulnerability, those keys to living your truth and shedding what no longer serves you.

This tilting and turning isn’t just a physical practice; it’s a metaphor for learning to lean into discomfort and uncertainty with self-compassion. Each time you fold forward or lift your legs skyward, you’re saying, “I trust myself to navigate change. I honor my journey, every twist and bend.” And in that trust, you may find the hidden sweet spot of joy and freedom.

Try this practice—the next time you sit down in a chair, fold forward and feel the gentle pull of inversion. Give yourself a moment to notice how your breath deepens, how your body shifts, and how your mind softens its grip. Maybe schedule a weekly time to explore gentle yoga or chair yoga to move into viparitas safely and supportively.

If you want to explore these nourishing inversions, or find stress relief and reduce anxiety through meditation and mindful movement, consider joining a gentle yoga or meditation class. Our group meditation sessions and the Authentic Living Circle are designed to help you connect deeply with yourself and a community of sisters who support your path.

There’s power in turning things upside down. It’s a simple invitation to refresh your body, quiet your mind, and live more fully. So go ahead—embrace your viparita and see what shifts for you.

To explore upcoming classes, workshops, and find your next mindful moment, visit the calendar here.