Sarvangasana – Shoulder Standing Posture
(sarva- all, whole, entire, anga – limb or part of body)
Practice:
- Lie flat on the back with feet together, arms by the sides and palms flat on the ground.
- Using the arms as levers raise the legs and back to a vertical position.
- Bend the elbows and use the arms as props to steady the back by pressing it with the palms.
- The trunk and legs should extend straight up, forming a right angle with the neck, the chest pressing against the chin.
- Soften the throat and tongue. Firm the shoulder blades against the back, and move the sternum toward the chin.
- Your forehead should be relatively parallel to the floor, your chin perpendicular. Gaze softly at your toes or tip of your nose.
- Stay for 10 to 30 seconds, with normal breathing.
- Exhale, drop legs down, spine down with support of arms, and relax at Savasana for 10 to 30 seconds.
Benefits:
- Stimulates the thyroid gland and thereby improves the balance of the circulatory, digestive, reproductive, nervous and glandular systems.
- It corrects improper body growth and clears psychological disturbances by bringing a rich supply of blood to the brain.
- It relieves asthma and bronchitis.
- It releases the normal gravitational pressure from the anal muscles, relieving hemorrhoids (piles).
- It tones the legs, abdomen, the female reproductive organs, spine and neck.
- It inhibits hydrocele and eliminates waistline fat.
- Leucorrhea and diabetes can be controlled.
- Mastery of this asana gives conscious control over body temperature.