About five years ago, my yoga teacher — who was 78 at the time — recommended a daily headstand. I’ve been doing it ever since.
There’s no direct evidence that headstand increases lifespan, but it sits at a compelling intersection of physical discipline and systemic resilience. By inverting your body for just a couple of minutes a day, you engage:
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Balance and core strength — key predictors of functional longevity
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Parasympathetic activation — lowering stress and supporting recovery
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Venous and lymphatic return — potentially aiding circulation and detoxification
And then there’s the discipline factor.
Doing a headstand daily — especially after 60 — implies more than balance. It reflects preserved strength, neuromuscular control, and intentional self-maintenance. The commitment to retain that ability may matter even more than the inversion itself. And it takes barely more time than swallowing a pill.
Train the move. Preserve the mover.
This one was taken earlier this year in Lanzarote, at 63.
(Tip: Don’t do it every day right away — build up gradually.)
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That’s inspiring. Any tips on working up to doing it?
That’s cool. I agree that headstands are a good exercise to be able to do.
Planking seems to be another good exercise: 100 year old woman does 3-minute plank.
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