Salamba Sarvangasana Yoga Pose (Supported Shoulderstand Pose)



Information on Yoga Asana Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Yoga Pose) Meaning & Uses


Salamba Sarvangasana is usually known as the Supported Shoulder stand pose. It is to be highly noted that Sarvangasana is rightly nicknamed as "mother" or "queen" of all the postures or asanas. The name of this particular asana is directly derived from Sanskrit language words, Salamba means "Supported", Sarva means "all", Anga means "body part" or "Limb" plus asana means posture. The literal meaning of this asana is "supported-all-limbs-pose". This posture involves perfectly lying on the back with both hands just under the mid-back, the lower body and legs are slow and steadily lifted so that the entire weight of the body is rightly supported on the upper arms, shoulders, neck and head. The right gaze is just towards the sagittal and toes. On the other hand, transverse line of the head is properly perpendicular with the midfrontal and midsagittal line of the body.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Steps / Instructions / Procedure

Follow the following steps in order to complete the Salamba Sarvangasana or the Supported Shoulder stand pose -

  1. Initially from Halasana or Plow Pose, do bend the elbows slow and steadily plus bring the both hands onto the back with your fingertips directly facing upward.

  2. Do try to place your elbows shoulder just a little width apart.

  3. Then do lift your legs up off the ground toward the ceiling.

  4. When you have raised your legs, then don't turn your head to any of the particular

  5. Keep your perfect gaze just upwards plus the neck firmly straight.

  6. Then lift up directly through the balls of the feet.

  7. Do bring your hips toward the front.

  8. Then perfectly work on perfectly moving both hands rightly down the back just towards the shoulders.

  9. The right alignment is with the feet over the hips and the hips over the shoulders.

  10. Do come out by directly bring the feet back just over the head through the position of Plow Pose.

  11. Finally roll out from Plow slowly with a lot of perfection.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Anatomical Focus

The anatomical focus of Salamba Sarvangasana or the Supported Shoulder stand pose are related to head, shoulders, back, hips, waists, thighs and legs.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Therapeutic Applications

The therapeutic applications of Salamba Sarvangasana or the Supported Shoulder stand pose are related to for asthma, sinusitis and infertility.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Medical Health Benefits

There are several benefits of Salamba Sarvangasana or the Supported Shoulder stand pose. Few of them are as follows -

  1. It really calms the brain and mind.

  2. It largely helps to immediately relieve mild depression and stress.

  3. It stimulates the thyroid plus prostate glands

  4. It perfectly stimulates abdominal organs

  5. It stretches the neck and shoulders.

  6. It really tones the buttocks and legs.

  7. It improves digestion

  8. It largely assists in relieving the symptoms of menopause

  9. It perfectly reduces fatigue.

  10. It also reduces alleviates insomnia.

  11. It largely reduces physical strain and mental stress.

  12. It helps in boosting self-confidence.

  13. It helps in increasing the blood flow in the body.

  14. It improves the brain function.

  15. It reduces depression and anxiety.

  16. It largely takes pressure off the heart.

  17. It calms nervous system.

  18. It reduces irritability.

  19. It aids digestive orders.

  20. It refreshes the body and mind.

  21. It largely strengthens and stretches the ankles.

  22. It opens the shoulder and chest.

  23. It properly stretches the groins, thighs and spine.

  24. It improves body posture

  25. It stretches and strengthens the spine.

  26. It promotes a healthier nervous system.

  27. It relieves the tension in the neck, shoulders and back.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Contraindications and Cautions

According to the medical experts, Salamba Sarvangasana or the Supported Shoulder stand pose is contraindicated for Diarrhea, spinal weakness, Glaucoma, angina, arthritis or osteoporosis, Headache, high blood pressure, menstruation, Detached retina, Neck injury and whiplash. In case, if the posture isn't done properly then the entire weight placed directly on the cervical spine might cause a risk of neck injury. Women who are pregnant should avoid practice this asana or posture. It is to be highly noted that menstruating women should not perform this particular posture. It is to be remembered that beginners are highly advised to practice this particular asana with the assistance of their partners. As it is a very risky posture, regular and beginners yoga practitioners are highly suggested to take extra care in this particular asana.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Beginner's Tip

The beginners are advised to follow the given steps of this asana in the right manner. In case, if you feel discomfort in any situations and circumstances of this asana then it is highly advised to come to the normal position immediately.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Variations

The variation of Salamba Sarvangasana or the Supported Shoulder stand pose is Baddha Konasana or Lotus Position.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Modifications and Props

In the initial stage for beginners and regular practioners, perfectly rolling up into Salamba Sarvangasana or the Supported Shoulder stand pose from the ground might be largely difficult in certain situations and circumstances. In that case, you can use the support of a wall in order to get into this particular pose. A soft folded blanket can be used in this pose as a prop.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Partnering

The partner in this particular asana can be used for ensuring that the steps of Salamba Sarvangasana or the Supported Shoulder stand pose followed with lot of perfection. It also gives a feel of comfort for indulging in the asana with a lot of perfection to a great extent. A partner is the best judge to correct when a person goes wrong and encourage when things are performed in the right manner. The partner can help in pulling and pushing you as according to the required steps of the pose in order to finish it.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Preparatory Poses

The preparatory asana of the Supported Shoulder stand pose or Sarvangasana are Halasana, Virasana and Setu Bandha Sarvangasana. These asanas and postures are really good warm up for this particular asana with a lot of perfection.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Follow up Poses

The follow up pose of the Supported Shoulder stand pose or Sarvangasana is Matsyasana or Fish pose. This is an apt position for completing the yoga session.

Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand Pose) Deepen the Pose

In this posture, it is common for beginners and regular practitioners to press firmly only the index finger sides of the hands just against the back directly. Do ensure to widely spread both palms just against your back torso in this posture. Then you may push in plus up against the back ribs, with the pinkies and ring fingers. Do take your both hands just away from the back periodically. Then press the shoulder blades in, plus return both hands in order to the back a little bit to the head than they were actually before.