- 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) :-)
- Thank You Yoga! For Shoulder Stand! (3 Arm variations) :-)
I am grateful for the these 3 lotus variations in Salamba Sarvangasana because...
- There is a great feeling of rest in the legs as they are moved into a more passive position, this helps me relax.
- The spine is given a great work out twisting left, right, and folding in a way not possible outside this inverted posture.
- As I relax in this posture I am granted a unique sense of peace that only seems possible when combining these two poses.
- The hips are given a unique opportunity to open in these inversions, experiencing freedom and relief.
- I am grateful for the reminder of what is possible when one comes to the mat and practices with honesty and effort, knowledge and kindness.
CAUTIONS and CONTRAINDICTIONS: for shoulder stand 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.
For lotus pose according to yoga journal
- ankle injury
- knee injury
- This pose is considered intermediate to advanced, so do not practice it without prior experience or an experienced instructor.
Benefits for Sarvangasana 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.
Effects for Padmasana according to BKS Iyengar's Light on Yoga page 131-132:
After the initial knee pains have been overcome, Padmasana is one of the most relaxing poses. The body being in a sitting posture, it is at rest without being sloppy. The position of the crossed legs and the erect back keeps the mind attentive and alert, hence it is one of the asanas recommended for practicing pranayama (breathe control).
On the purely physical level, the pose is good for curing stiffness in the knees and ankles, since the blood is made to circulate in the lumbar region and the abdomen, the spine and the abdominal organs are toned.
Benifits of Lotus pose in Shoulder Stand according to BKS Iyengar's Light on Yoga page 237:
To destroy tamasic qualities (anything that promotes pessimism, ignorance, laziness, criminal tendencies, and doubt) and disease, to enjoy health and happiness, we have to make our spines as strong as a thunderbolt like the spine of Dadhicha. These movements tone the spine on all sides and keep it healthy.
Technique
- First we might find it is a good idea to open the hips in preperation for lotus pose by practicing Agnistambhasana or fire log pose. Find out about this pose here: Thank You Yoga! For Fire Log Pose! (Agnistambhasana) :-)
- Next 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.
- There are a couple of options when moving into Upward Lotus Pose in Shoulder Stand.
- The first one is to stay in Salmba Sarvangasana and fold the legs up similar to how you folded the legs in Up Lotus in Head Stand, one leg over the over.
- The next one is from Niralamba Sarvangasana 2, using the arms to help guide your legs into up lotus pose.
- To practice Urdhva Padamasana in Sarvangasana simply hold the legs as upright as possible, rolling the hips open and up. I sometimes hold my arms out straight and up to help support this.
- Next I invite you to move into Pindasana by allowing the legs to fold downward so that they knees rest on either side of the head. Holding like this for awhile trying to encourage a smooth breath even though the tendency is to have a labored breath, especially when starting to practice Sarvangasana and its variations.
- Next take a breath in lifting with the core back to Upward Lotus, this time with arms in Supported form hands pressing against the back, fingers pointing up.
- Exhaling rotating the hips to the right, gently allowing the legs to fall over to the right, supported by the hands and arms. Remain here as long as comfortable.
- Complete your journey though these Savangasana variations by switching the crossing of the legs and moving through these variations again, this time opening to the other side for the Parsva variation. Do your best to match the times that you help poses for on the other side.
- 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 thanks 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 Lotus in Shoulder Stand! (Padmasana in Sarvangasana) :-)” 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, core, and spine :-) May all living beings awaken themselves with the courage and strength to move beyond the negative space of tamas and disease into a world where they may enjoy peace and happiness :-) Godbless and Namaste! Have a great day! Peace, Love, and Blessings now and always, Aaron :-)