- 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) :-)
I am grateful for the the Salamba Sarvangasana because...
- the relaxation that is felt in Sarvangasana compliments the effort of Sirsasana very well, helping me gradual return from a state of high energy.
- It is a great pose to do when the mind and or the body are not in a state to practice head stand.
- I really appreciate the chance that I am given to work on my core muscles as I try to have my body as straight as possible in Sarvangasana.
- It is an excellent way to help drain the sinuses!
- Sarvangasana and the supported legs up the wall variation are a great way to relieve stressed legs after a long day of moving on the feet and legs!
- The neck and the shoulders are given an opportunity to stretch in a way that counters allot of the other movements that are experienced throughout the day.
CAUTIONS and CONTRAINDICTIONS: according to yoga journal, menstruation, high blood pressure, glaucoma, detached retina, and pregnancy.
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.
Technique
- Legs up the Wall is a good alternative to Sarvangasana just in case there is something getting in your way from performing the full pose.
- In legs up the wall we place the buttock as close to a wall as possible, lye on the back, and straighten the legs, allowing them to rest on the wall. This pose might also be a more realistic way to sustain similar benefits to that which we experience in Sarvangasana.
- For Sarvangasana: Starting out lying on the back, on a mat, take a few deep breathes from the nose, released from the mouth.
- After you feel sufficiently centered and at ease, bend the legs, and draw the knees toward the chest.
- Once that feels comfortable allow the legs to straighten so that the feet reach passed the head. This looks much like a forward fold although the body weight rest on the back instead of the legs.
- Take a breath in, engage the core, and pull the legs straight up as you exhale. This is similar to the bodies position in Legs up the Wall without the wall.
- Place the palms of the hands on the back near the shoulder blades, thumbs pointing away from the body.
- Take another breath, and exhale as you push the legs even further up so that the buttock is lifted a good distance off the ground, following in a straight line of the body to the shoulders. The shoulders are now where the weight of the body rests. There should be very little if any weight felt on the neck and head.
- Remain here as long as possible, breathing in and out, encouraging ease and relaxation, trying to allow the effort in the muscles to be minimal, as we become one with the largely straight aliment of the body, resting on the broadness of the shoulders.
- Gently allow the legs to fold once more, reach them toward the chest, and then rest the soles of the feet on the surface below.
- After Sarvangasana, you may find that you would like to rest further in Savasana or some other resting pose might be nice or continue on with the rest of your sequence. I find that Sarvangasana can be very rejuvenating, so you might feel refreshed enough, the choice is always up to you.
- Whenever you come to the end of your yoga journey for this interval, take some time to be very grateful 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! (Salmba Sarvangasana) :-)” I hope this experience has has helped you relax in a very deep and rejuvenating way :-) May all living beings find Peace, rest, and relief from all that brings them discontent :-) Godbless and Namaste! Have a great day! Love, Aaron :-)