Detachment.  How can we be with things as they are without constantly trying to move it, change it or fix it?  The mind is constantly taking us into the past or the future.  It hardly ever rests in the present moment

Human beings are made up of the three qualities of nature: sattva - light and luminosity, rajas – action, energy, momentum, tamas – inertia, laxity. 

Sattva dominates the region from the head to the heart, rajas rules from the heart to the navel and from the navel to the soles of the feet, is the realm of tamas.

This suggests that the brain is the domain of the sattva guna.  The brain has a profound capacity for contemplation and enlightenment.  However, it can often be eclipsed by negative thoughts (tamas). By inverting the body in poses such as Adho Mukha Svanasana and Prasarita Padottanasana the brain gets quiet and is rejuvenated when bathed in oxygenated blood.  When the body inverts and the head rests on the floor, the brain gets refreshed and the mind becomes detached from mundane issues.

The action of inverting the head and trying to reach the floor can create fear and anxiety in the beginner.  Fear in the mind makes the body rigid and unable to surrender to the asana, which is often the reason why the head does not reach the floor.

To overcome this fear, it is important to remember to keep the kneecaps lifted and the tops of the thighs pressing back.  This action counterbalances the weight of the torso coming forward.  Remember that tamas (laxity and inertia) resides in the legs.  Keep the legs firm and press the outer edges of the feet into the floor.

Prasarita Padottanasana is a preparation for Sirsasana.  It helps to calm the mind.  It removes fatigue and relieves heaviness in the head and increases self-confidence.  The intellect remains neutral and steady, and the eyes are pacified.   

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