Benefits of Sarvangasana – Shoulder Stand

So my latest youtube video is exploring Sarvangasana, over the next couple of weeks, I will be exploring a variety of different inverted postures.

Any inverted posture we do in yoga is reversing the action of gravity; usually, gravity is pulling us down from our feet but inverting shifts this pull from the head instead.

It is suggested that by inverting it affects not only the body but also the emotional and psychic levels, encouraging a new way of seeing old habits and patterns we may be stuck in.

Inverted postures can help to reduce anxiety, stress and general well-being as well as improvements to increase our confidence.

When we move into an inverted asana, we are moving the blood supply to the brain which will nourish the neurones and remove toxins.

“Blood and lymph, accumulated in the lower limbs and abdominal, are drained back to the heart, then circulated to the lungs, purified and re-circulated to all parts of the body.’ – HYP

If you are new to doing inverted asanas, you should only remain in them a few seconds and build on this over time. There are a contra-indications in doing this asana that I list below, it is advised you don't perform the asana if these are true.

• High Blood Pressure

• Slipped disc

• Back conditions

• Illness that results in impure blood (until pure again)

• Enlarged Thyroid, liver or spleen

• Cervical Spondylitis

• Heart problems

• Weak blood vessels in the eyes

• Pregnancy

So now we have got that part out of the way, let's explore the excellent benefits that are received from doing this posture.

• Stimulates Thyroid Gland

• Balances Circulatory, digestive, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems

• Enriches blood flow to brain

• relieves emotion and mental stress

• relives fear and headaches

• helps clear psychological disturbances

• Increase the exchange of oxygen in the body

• Relieved haemorrhoids

• Tones the legs, abdominal and reproductive organs

• drains stagnant blood

• Increases flexibility of the neck

• Revitalising for the eyes, ears and tonsils

• Helps to prevent illness of the throat and nose

Now if that isn’t enough of a reason to practice this asana then I don't know what it. I have broken the asana down in the video so you can go at your own pace. You can place a blanket underneath the shoulders if that relieves any neck discomfort. It depends on your bone structure at this time.

Shoulder stand is a posture that is used in many yoga therapy treatments because of all the beautiful benefits. If you are limited to taking the pressure on to your shoulders then just having the legs up the wall will give you a tremendous amount of nourishment.

Enjoy practising – Namaste