Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulder Stand Pose)
This is the supported shoulder stand. Start by lying flat on your back on the floor with your legs stretched straight out in front of you. Your arms are by your side. Breathe easily and then on an exhale life both your legs until they are at a right angle to the body. Breathe easily and then on an exhale raise your legs further up supporting yourself with your arms on the floor. Continue to rise up off the floor and when your back is off the floor, support yourself with your hands pressed against your back and elbows on the floor. Raise your torso off the ground until you are supported only by your shoulders, neck and head which are on the floor. Straighten your whole body so that your torso to the feet are straight, with the feet pointing straight up at the ceiling. Stay here breathing easily for thirty seconds to one minute. Gradually try to increase this to five minutes. Then release the pose, place your hands back down as you relax back down until you are flat on the floor.
Precaution:
- People with high blood pressure, heart conditions,
- inflammation of the ear, weak eye capillaries,
- severe near-sightedness, problems in the pituitary
- or thyroid glands, arteriosclerosis, cerebral or
- other thrombosis, severe asthma, tuberculosis,
- cold or sinusitis, excessively impure blood,
- slipped disc, weak spine or vertigo should not practice this asana.
Benefits:
- Mother of asanas
- Low blood pressure.
- Strengthens the neck muscles and brings a rich supply of blood to
- the brain. thyroid and parathyroid glands. urinary disorders and
- uterine displacement, menstrual trouble, piles and hernia.
- Helps to relieve epilepsy, low vitality and anaemia.
- Activates the abdominal organs and relieves people suffering from stomach and intestinal ulcers, severe pains in the abdomen and colitis.