- Thank You Yoga! For Sirsasana! (Headstand) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Sirsasana! (4 leg variations) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Sirsasana! (4 arm variations) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Fire Log Pose! (Agnistambhasana) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Lotus Pose! (Padmasana) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Upward Lotus Pose in Headstand! (Urdhva Padmasana in Sirsasana) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Crow Pose and Side Crow! (Bakasana and Parsva Bakasana) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Headstand II to Crow! (Sirsasana II to Bakasana) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Shoulder Stand! (Salamba Sarvangasana) :-)
I am grateful for the these 3 arm variations in Salamba Sarvangasana because...
- One is given the chance to refine their shoulder balance as the support is shifted but the main platform of the shoulders remains.
- The shoulders become much more flexible and adaptable with a greater range of motion to help with all those situations in life that test your shoulders.
- As the supports for the shoulders subtly change one becomes much more relaxed and confident in this inversion.
- More is dependent on the straightness of the body to help stabilize the pose, so the core and legs are given an even greater chance to build strength.
- There is something serine about being able to balance more and more solely on the shoulder which helps me feel relaxed and secure.
- As the poses difficulty increases one learns to be even more aware of how to be gentle to those places in the body like the neck and the head that require special attention.
CAUTIONS and CONTRAINDICTIONS: according to yoga journal
- menstruation,
- diarrhea,
- headache,
- neck injury, and
- high blood pressure.
- If you have prior experience with Salamba Sarvangasana you can practice late into pregnancy, however do not take up the practice of this pose while pregnant.
- Salamba Sarvangasana is considered an intermediate to advanced pose so practice only if you have sufficient prior experience or the supervision of an experienced instructor.
Benefits according to BKS Iyengar in his Light on Yoga. pg. 212
- As the mother strives for harmony and happiness in the home, so this asana strives for the harmony and happiness of the human system.
- It is a panacea for most common ailments.
- There are several endocrine organs or ductless glands in the human system which bathe in blood, absorb the nutriments from the blood and secrete hormones for the proper functioning of a balanced and well developed body and brain.
- The firm chin lock helps ensure that the thyroid and para thyroid glads remain healthy as they receive an extra supply for blood.
- Because of the extra blood that is allowed to circulate in the chest and neck region, those suffering from breathlessness, palpitation, asthma, bronchitis, and throat ailments find relief.
- As the blood supply is regulated toward the head, those suffering from headaches gain relief.
- Continued practice eradicates common colds and other nasal disturbances.
- Due to the soothing effect of this pose on the nerves, those suffering from hypertension, irritation, shortness of temper, nervous breakdown and insomnia are relieved.
- Constipation is relieved as the abdominal organs are allowed to move freely, relieving the system from toxins, filling the practitioner with increased energy.
- This asana is a relief for those suffering from urinary disorders and uterine displacement, menstrual trouble, piles, and hernia.
- It helps to relive epilepsy, low vitality and anemia.
- Regular practice will bring new vigor and strength, happiness and confidence.
- After a long illness, the practice of this asana regularly twice a day brings back lost vitality.
- The sarvangasana cycle will activate the abdominal organs and relieve people suffering from stomach and intestinal ulcers, severe pains in the abdomen and colitis.
- Pg. 214 for Salamba Sarvangasana II: The neck and back muscles are strengthened as the weight of the body is shifted to these areas. The arm muscles are also toned.
Technique
- First we will move into standard Salamba Sarvangasana with plenty of room around so we can move the arms eventually before, behind, and to the sides.
- I invite you to take some time in Salamba Sarvangasana settling into the inversion, getting use to the straightening of the core and legs.
- Once ready to do so let's try and move to Salamba Sarvangasana II by straightening the arms out behind the back, hands resting on the floor, fingers interlaced together.
- After a certain amount of time it is good to switch the interlacing of the hands to tone and stretch the shoulders in an equal way, holding on the new side for about the same length of time as the first side.
- When Salamba Sarvangasana feels complete for you, I invite you into Niralamba Sarvangasana or unsupported Shoulder Stand by unclasping the hands and moving arms to the sides then pointing away from the head, all the while doing ones best to remain in a firm upright position with the legs and core.
- With the arms resting on the floor, pointing away from the head, hands palm up, take as much time in Niralamba Sarvangasana as you would like, doing ones best to encourage a smooth calm breath, though it will likely be shorter and more labored because of the compression of the throat and effort of the body.
- Once ready to do so, I invite you into Niralamba Sarvangasana II, lifting the arms up palms pressing toward or on the thighs. Hold here for as long as you would like.
- Take a breath, and exhale as you gently allow the legs and arms to lower over the head feat pointed away and hands pointed away. You may alternatively wish to bend the legs into the chest if this is more comfortable for you.
- After Sarvangasana, you may find that you would like to rest further in Savasana or some other resting pose of your choice. You might wish to continue on with the rest of your sequence as well. I find that Sarvangasana can be very rejuvenating, so you might feel refreshed enough to transition right into whatever comes next in your day, the choice is always up to you.
- I would like to invite you to a post practice gratitude practice, in a comfortable seated position, take some time to show reverence for yourself, your practice, and the greater experience of life all around, pressing hands to heart center, bowing the head, and expressing thank to your body for carrying you through the practice, the ground for supporting you, and the vital breathe for facilitating this experience as well as all others. :-)
Have a wonderful day, my friend! Thank you so much for being wonderful you! I hope that you enjoyed “Thank You Yoga! For Shoulder Stand! (3 Arm variations) :-)” I hope this experience has has helped you relax in a very deep and rejuvenating way as well as tone and strengthen your arms, legs, and core in a way that can help bring confidence to your mobility and ability to navigate the journey of life's experience :-) May all living beings find Peace, rest, relief, strength and confidence within who they are and the course life takes them :-) Godbless and Namaste! Have a great day! Peace, Love, and Blessings now and always, Aaron :-)