noisrevnI:Inversion

in·ver·sion - noun
1. a reversing of the order, arrangement, or position of something
2. a state in which the order, arrangement, or position of something is reversed, or something in such a state
3. also called, a·nas·tro·phe (noun) an alteration of the normal order of words or phrases in a grammatical construction, usually for rhetorical effect
4. a stable atmospheric condition in which air temperature increases vertically upward through a layer. It is the reverse of normal conditions.
Also called temperature inversion
5. abnormal positioning of an organ, especially the abnormal turning inward or inside out of an organ.
6. the transformation of a mathematical proportion by inverting the ratio and order of its terms
7. a raising of the lower note of an interval, or a lowering of the upper note, by an octave
8. a moving of the root tone of a chord to a position other than the lowest
9. a converting of all the intervals in a melody from ascending to descending and vice versa
10. a chemical reaction in which an optically active compound gives a product with opposite optical configuration
11. a chromosomal mutation in which a block of genes in a segment is in reverse order
(extracted from Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation)

In the practice of Hatha Yoga, inversions (postures or asanas in which the head is below the heart) “upend one's relationship to gravity….Here on earth, gravity slowly but surely weighs us down and saps our strength.” (from http://www.nshouseofyoga.com/Article-Inversions.htm)

If this inherent sense of “up and down” instilled in us by gravity affects our body, certainly it must affect our minds as well. Unlike physical inversions, which require warming up the body and knowing the limits of one’s body, mind-inversions can be practiced anywhere, anytime. And although it may take some time to warm up the mind, I suggest that the benefits of inversion touted by yoga practitioners might also might also be true for our minds. Who knows when the next opportunity for a mind-inversion might arise…..?