Halle Berry’s Latest Wellness Obsession? Headstand and Meditation
Actress Halle Berry proved once again that she’s #goals. We know that at age 51 her beauty and body is age-defying, but now a recent Instagram post shows she’s also literally defying gravity.
In the latest #FitnessFriday series that the actress likes to post, the Oscar winner shared a pic of herself performing an impressive yoga headstand. Not only is her body taut and toned, but her form is also on point.
“Today I’m proud to share my new #yoga pose,” she included in the photo’s caption. “Thanks to all of you, I got super inspired and challenged myself to a headstand!”
In the same post, the actress also wrote about her other passion, meditation.
“Many argue that some of the happiest people are those who spend time each day meditating,” she wrote. “I can tell you that I’ve felt happier and more like my best self since I started. I’ve learned that meditation helps to balance your left brain and right brain, and as a result I feel more creative, I can absorb information faster and I experience better emotional health. #Meditation also helps me stay in touch with my ‘little me’, that little girl who keeps me curious and open to the newness of each day and every new experience that comes my way.”
It’s obvious Berry is having a zen-ful moment, and whatever she’s doing, it’s clearly working for her. If you’re curious whether headstands and meditation can work for you too, here’s what you need to know.
Headstands Work the Bod
A headstand in yoga, or Sirsasana, requires a lot of balance and strength. The posture specifically works the core, activating the rectus, transverse and obliques muscles to help keep you stable throughout the pose.
It also works the triceps, as well as the back and shoulder muscles, and glutes.
However, the pose isn’t for the beginner yogi. It’s best to work with a professional yoga instructor who can help you work your way up to it. Also, if you suffer from neck and back issues, your best bet is to skip it until you are fully recovered.
Headstands Can Improve Your Mood
There’s a reason why Berry is so blissful. Inversions, like a headstand, causes fresh blood to flow to the brain, which not only brings a fresh glow to your cheeks, but enhances your mood.
According to the editors of Yoga Journal, by doing this, you’re helping to calm the brain, which helps relieve stress and mild depression. A number of yogis have attested that a practice involving regular headstands, including supported headstands, have helped boost their moods, allowing them to be purely in the present moment.
Meditation Can Boost Your Creativity
Berry is onto something when she says she feels more creative, thanks to her daily practice of meditation. Studies have shown that certain techniques of meditation, like mindfulness meditation, can promote creative thinking, even if you have never meditated before.
Not surprisingly then, a number of companies, including Google and Goldman Sachs, have introduced meditation and other mindfulness practices to their employees in order to enhance their creativity as well as relieve stress. Even by just taking a ten-minute meditation break can bust through creative blocks.
The Takeaway
Implementing a meditation practice as well as a headstand pose into your yoga practice will no doubt do wonders for both your mood and your body, but it does require time and patience, and some help from a pro.
You might not be able to wake up and suddenly be like Halle Berry, but by being gentle with yourself and committing to challenging yourself every day, you could try.
Related on Organic Authority
Halle Berry’s Beauty Secret: Tons of Healthy Fat and Zero Sugar
Why Nikki Reed’s Getting Fit and Flexible With AcroYoga
Hot Yoga Transformed Actress Kaley Cuoco’s Body: Can It do the Same for Yours?
