UAE man to attempt longest Shirshasana on Yoga Day

Ivan Stanley is gearing up for 60 minutes Shirshasana, breaking his previous record of 34 minutes.

Dubai: A 40-year-old UAE-based yoga instructor plans to perform the world's longest Shirshasana to mark the first International Yoga Day on June 21.

Ivan Stanley is gearing up for 60 minutes Shirshasana (headstand), breaking his previous record of 34 minutes, organisers said, adding that they are in touch with Guinness Records' global and Dubai offices, a media report said.

Stanley with more than 15 years of experience is certified in Iyengar Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and Vinyasa flow, and has yoga teaching credentials from the Bihar School of Yoga and the Mysore School of Yoga.

His instructors have included the venerable trio of BKS Iyengar, Saraswati Jois and Baba Balak Das, among others.

He is fluent in English, Hindi, Marathi and Malayalam.

An advertising creative director (copywriter) by profession, Stanley has worked in the UAE since 2000, and considers it his home.

Stanley says he will continue to be a ‘student’ of yoga throughout his life, and is currently exploring evolving practices like Paddle Board Yoga -- a variation of stand up paddle surfing (SUP), Acro Yoga -- a practice that combines yoga and acrobatics, and Yoga in the Air -- the practice of yoga while paragliding.

He is also studying the concepts of yoga as physical recovery and mental rehabilitation and yoga for children below the age of 6.

• UAE