Salamba Sarvangasana — Supported Shoulder Stand

Āsana of the Week

Supported Shoulder Stand - Salamba Sarvangasana

Sālamba = supported or propped up Sārva= all, whole, entire Anga= limb or body Āsana= seat, posture

Salamba Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) is referred to as the “Queen” or “Mother” of āsanas (postures). “A mother strives for harmony and happiness in the home, so this āsana strives for harmony and happiness of the human system” -B.K.S. Iyengar.

Shoulder stand has a plethora of benefits besides stretching the back and strengthening the neck muscles. Since the body is inverted, there is a free-flow of venous blood to the upper body. We are giving our veins a break by allowing gravity to assist us in pumping deoxygenated blood back to the the heart with less strain/work on our systems. This further allows nutrient rich blood to pool and circulate in the chest, neck and head for a longer period of time than when we are standing upright.

This, in turn, creates a calming effect on the nerves and nervous system. Moments of stress, anxiety, panic, irritability, insomnia, nervousness, fatigue, etc., can help be relieved through the soothing affects of shoulder stand.

This is why in a traditional Vinyasa class, we perform shoulder stand at the very end of practice. After we have taken shoulder stand (and its cycle- halasana, karnapīdāsana, etc.) there is an immediate “tranquility” in the body and the mind which sets us up for śavāsana.

In addition to its nurturing and calming effects, shoulder stand also helps with asthma, constipation, increased circulation, thyroid function, enhances the lymphatic system and much, much more!

Here is a YouTube link on shoulder stand & the thyroid gland by one of my teachers and fellow Miamian, Kino MacGregor:

xoxo,

Kelly