Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana)

Introduction

Sarvangasana

If the headstand is the king of asanas, the shoulderstand, Sarvangasana (sarva = all, anga = member) is definitely the queen with its numerous health benefits on many systems of the body. It especially stimulates and balances the thyroid gland and the blood circulation.

Technique

Laid on your back, legs together, arms next to the body.
Raise both legs above your head and support your lower back with your hands.
Progressively, try to bring your hands closer to the shoulder blades, fingers together and extended upwards.
Adopt a deep and rhythmical abdominal breathing. Focus in the throat.
Count about 20 breaths and carry on with Halasana, the plough, legs straight behind the head.

The effects of inverted postures are starting to manifest after one minute more or less. A good average is 2-3 minutes in the posture.

Benefits

Brings oxygen to the brain.
Stimulates and balances the endocrine system, especially the thyroid and parathyroids glands.
Stimulates arterial and venous circulation.
Increases hemoglobin rate in the blood.
Relaxes the heart and the other internal organs as they are less submitted to the intra abdominal pressure.
Provides a gentle massage to the internal organs.
Improves remarkably the assimilation and elimination processes of ingested food (better digestion and elimination).
Slows down the aging mechanism of cells.

Caution

To be avoided in case of pain in the neck because of the elongation of the cervical vertebrae.
Do not practice inverted postures in case of severe headache.
For women, inverted postures should be avoided during menstruations.