How To Practice Shoulder Stand

Shoulder stand is called Sarvangasana in Sanskrit. Sarvangasana can be broken into ‘Sarva’ which means ‘entire’, ‘Anga’ meaning ‘body part’ and Asana meaning ‘pose’. So it can essentially be called the all body parts pose because of its benefits for the entire body and mind. This posture is an intermediate yoga pose and requires a fair amount of strength and balance, as all the weight comes on the shoulders. Further on in the article, we will be discussing more about Sarvangasana benefits and contraindications for the better understanding of the posture.

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What are the benefits of Sarvangasana?

Sarvangasana helps boost energy in the body. The posture balances the nervous system and strengthens the neck muscles. It tones and strengthens the shoulders, while also toning the legs, hamstrings and calf muscles. For athletes and runners, this yoga pose is useful as it reverses the blood flow to the legs. This helps relieve stress in the leg muscles and relaxes them. It strengthens the back and improves flexibility in the spine.

From a physiological standpoint, the posture is very effective in stimulating the thyroid and parathyroid glands that helps balance hormones in both males and females. It massages and tones the thyroid gland that controls metabolism and helps normalise body weight, while also helping correct hypo-thyroidism. It helps in cases of low blood pressure as well. The posture rejuvenates the brain and improves blood flow to the brain. The heart muscles are stretched as the reversed blood flow requires the heart to work harder to pump blood to the extremities. This is the same reason it is very useful for varicose veins.

Spinal bend: Cervical flexion - forward bend

Posture type: Inversion

Targets: Shoulder & neck

Ideal for: Strength

Pose level: Intermediate

How to prepare for Sarvangasana

Hip and lower back flexibility

‍For practicing the Sarvangasana pose, hip and lower back flexibility is important. Practising standing triangle pose, lunges and simple hip openers like bound angle pose, garland pose and pigeon pose regularly can help develop hip flexibility. Backbends like camel pose, cobra pose, locust pose and forward bends like seated forward fold and standing forward fold will improve back flexibility. You can also practice forward folds like Paschimottanasana.

Core and leg strength

Developing strength is always helpful. It helps you hold the posture for longer with ease and comfort. For this, regular practice of triangle pose, warrior series, boat pose and plank are important.

Upper back and shoulder strength

‍Since most of the weight is on the shoulders, shoulder strength is helpful. Asanas like cow face pose, puppy pose, thread the needle, dolphin pose, seated eagle pose, etc. are useful.

How to practice Sarvangasana

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Getting into the posture

Lie on the back on a folded blanket. Check that the head and spine are aligned and that the legs are straight with the feet together. Place the hands beside the body with the palms facing down.
Relax the entire body and mind.
Contract the abdominal muscles and, with the support of the arms, slowly bend knees and raise the legs to a vertical position and straighten the legs now.
When the legs are vertical, press the arms and hands down on the floor.
Slowly and smoothly roll the buttocks and spine off the floor, raising the trunk to a vertical position.
Turn the palms of the hands upward, bend the elbows and place the hands behind the rib cage, slightly away from the spine, to support the back. The elbows should be about shoulder-width apart.
Gently push the chest forward so that it is pressed firmly against the chin.
In the final position, the legs are vertical, together and in a straight line with the trunk. The body is supported by the shoulders, nape of the neck and back of the head. The arms provide stability, the chest rests against the chin and the feet are relaxed.
Close your eyes. Relax the whole body in the final pose for as long as is comfortable.

Getting out of the posture

To return to the starting position, bring the legs forward until the feet are above and behind the back of the head. Keep the legs straight.
Slowly release the position of the hands and place the arms on the floor beside the body with the palms down. Gradually lower each vertebra to the floor, followed by the buttocks, so that the legs resume their initial vertical position.
Lower the legs to the floor slowly, keeping the knees straight.

Key alignments in Sarvangasana

Ensure the head and spine are aligned and that the legs are straight with the feet together.
In the final position, the legs are vertical, together and in a straight line with the trunk, back and shoulders.

What are the contraindications of Sarvangasana?

Anyone with high blood pressure, heart conditions, inflammation of the ear, weak eye capillaries, and severe near-sightedness should avoid the asana. Those with problems in the pituitary or thyroid glands, arteriosclerosis, cerebral or other thrombosis, severe asthma, tuberculosis, cold or sinusitis should also avoid doing this posture. Slipped disc, weak spine or vertigo patients should also avoid this asana. These are the few Sarvangasana contraindications that one must look into before practicing this posture.

What are the counter poses of the Sarvangasana?

Practicing Fish pose or Matsyasana as a counter pose of Sarvangasana for a minute or two is very important. In shoulder stand the neck is contracted, so a counter movement like fish pose will extend the neck muscles.

Sarvangasana variations

Easy variation

If you are a beginner, press your feet onto a wall, which takes some weight off the shoulders and gives the upper arms and shoulders a moment to rotate outward and the chest to open.

Advice for beginners

Initially, if you are not able to bring the shoulders, trunk and legs in one line, it’s okay. There might be a slight curve. Once you improve alignment and balance in the posture, you will be able to bring the body into one straight line. Use the wall for support when practising the first few times. It will help lift up the legs more easily.

Once this position of the shoulder stand is mastered you can now practice variations, especially with the legs such as leg splits, lotus legs, eagle legs, one leg down, hip rotations etc.

Practice Tips for Sarvangasana

Practice this asana once and not more than 2 minutes. Practice the counter pose, fish pose, for the same amount of time.
Don't repeat or practice it beyond the limit of time specified above.

Shvasa tip

Trying to perfect this asana in a short period of time is a mistake one can make. You have to approach it very slowly and back off if there is even slight discomfort. Don’t be in a hurry. You will get better at it over a period of time.

What are the benefits of practicing sarvangasana?

Practicing Sarvangasana, or the Shoulder Stand, regularly brings a host of health benefits. As an inversion, it promotes improved blood flow, particularly to the brain, helping to nourish the neurons and potentially improving concentration and mental clarity. The pose is beneficial for the endocrine system as well, stimulating the thyroid and parathyroid glands, which can help to regulate the body's metabolism. Additionally, it helps to strengthen the upper body, particularly the shoulders and back muscles, and can improve spinal flexibility. It can also aid in digestion by stimulating the abdominal organs and can help to alleviate symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, and anxiety due to its calming effect on the mind.

Why is Sarvangasana called queen of asanas?

Sarvangasana, also known as the Shoulder Stand, is often referred to as the "Queen of Asanas" because of the multitude of health benefits it offers. Derived from Sanskrit, "Sarvangasana" literally translates to "all-parts pose," signifying its impact on all parts of the body. This asana has a particularly profound influence on the body's endocrine system, stimulating and regulating the functioning of the major glands, including the thyroid and parathyroid. These glands play a crucial role in metabolism, growth, and development, making Sarvangasana an integral part of yoga practice.

What is Sarvangasana steps?

To perform Sarvangasana, start by lying on your back on a folded blanket, ensuring your head and spine are aligned and your legs straight. With a relaxed body and mind, contract your abdomen, bend your knees, and using your arm support, lift your legs vertically. Press your arms and hands onto the floor, and then raise your trunk by rolling your buttocks and spine off the floor. Turn your palms upwards, place your hands behind your ribcage for support, with elbows shoulder-width apart. Push your chest forward so it's firmly against your chin, with your body supported by your shoulders, neck, and head. Your legs should be vertical, together, and aligned with your trunk. Close your eyes and relax in this pose as long as comfortable. To release, lower your legs slowly towards your head, release your hands, and lower your back vertebra by vertebra, followed by your buttocks, until your legs are vertical again. Finally, lower your legs slowly to the floor, keeping your knees straight.

How to do Sarvangasana for beginners?

Sarvangasana, or the Shoulder Stand, is a beneficial yoga pose but can be challenging for beginners. To begin, ensure you've sufficiently warmed up with some gentle stretches or basic yoga poses. Start the pose by lying flat on your back on a yoga mat with your legs extended and arms by your sides. Gradually, raise your legs off the floor using your core strength, keeping them straight. Then, push your hands into the mat to lift your hips off the ground, bringing your legs up to a 90-degree angle. Support your back with your hands, keeping your elbows on the ground. Your weight should rest on your shoulders and upper arms, not your neck or head. Gradually, try to straighten your body as much as you can, pointing your toes up to the ceiling. Remember to breathe evenly and hold the pose for a comfortable amount of time. When you're ready to come out of the pose, lower your body slowly back to the ground. If you feel any discomfort or strain, come out of the pose immediately.

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