headstand n : an acrobatic feat in which a person balances on the head (usually with the help of the hands)

English

Etymology

From head + stand.

Pronunciation

Noun

1. The act of standing on one's head.
2. The position of standing on one's head.

Translations

The head stand is a pose that is an inversion posture of standing head up. The technique is used in different settings, like yoga, breakdancing and beginner gymnastics.

In Yoga

The head stand is called Sirsasana or Sirshasana in Hatha yoga.

In Breakdance

Breakdancing features a number of moves that feature balancing on one's head. Headstands can lead into a head spin or act as a stand alone freeze move. Different from the yoga style, headstands are ideally culminate with taking the hands off the floor and entirely supporting oneself with the head.

• Variety of Comedy Freeze Photos
• Freeze and Headstand Tutorial

In Gymnastics

The headstand, although not an "official skill" (FIG code of points) is used in gymnastics as a precurser to many skills such as the handstand, headspring, ect. A gymnastics headstand can be done in any way; head only, head plus forearms, or head plus hands. Although it is often entered via a press, it can also be jumped into, although this is quite dangerous.

External links

A video of a head stand