Shoulder Stand

  • Sarvangasana
Dr.Rithika Patteti Supine Yoga Pose

Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) is called the queen of asanas. Sarvangasana is a full-body practice that targets a number of muscle groups and benefits your balance, posture, and sense of calm in a number of different ways. The Sarvangasana finds its mentions in various ancient texts too. This is practised by modern yoga practitioners with great interest due to its spiritual benefits. Sarvangasana is made up of three Sanskrit words: "sarv" for all, "anga" for your entire body, and "asana" for the pose. The Sarvangasana balances your Vishuddhi Chakra and Ajna Chakra. 

Steps to do Shoulder Stand / Sarvangasana

  • Lie down on the back, palms beside your thighs.
  • Now lift the legs up to 90 degree angle. With the support of palms, lift the waist up tilting the feet towards head.
  • Now try to straighten the complete body to 90 degree angle.
  • Keep breathing in and out while holding the pose.
  • Now bend the knees towards the head, with the support of palms slowly bring the spine down without lifting the head and relax the legs.

Tips for beginners

  • Lie down on the back, palms beside your thighs.
  • Now lift the legs up to 90 degree angle. With the support of palms, lift the waist up tilting the feet towards head.
  • Now try to straighten the complete body to 90 degree angle.
  • Keep breathing in and out while holding the pose.
  • Now bend the knees towards the head, with the support of palms slowly bring the spine down without lifting the head and relax the legs.

Benefits

  • Stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid glands and normalizes their functions.
  • Strengthens the arms and shoulders and keeps the spine flexible. 
  • Nourishes the brain with more blood , reduces anxiety, insomnia, irritability.
  • Calms the mind and reduces emotional and mental strain. increases the amount of venous blood returning to the heart, stretching the heart muscles. 
  • Provides relief from varicose veins, indigestion, and constipation.

Watch out for

  • In the case of enlarged thyroid, liver, spleen, cervical spondylitis, slipped disc, menstruation, high and low BP, glaucoma, pregnancy avoid this pose.

Variations

  • Sarvangasana has many variations. However, adding variations can be done under the guidance of a professional yoga trainer.