Viparita Shalabhasana Yoga Pose (Superman Pose)



Information on Yoga Asana Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Yoga Pose) Meaning & Uses


Viparita Shalabhasana is popularly known as the Superman pose mainly because of the similarity of the acts of this comic characteristics in the yoga session. It looks like a flying superman high up in the air. It is from here that this yoga posture gets its unique nick name. The name of this asana is also derived from the Sanskrit language words, viparita means inverted/ reversed; shalabh means locust and asana means posture. It is rightly pronounced as Vip-a-RHEETH-uh shah-lah-BHAAHS-uh-nuh in the yoga session. According to the yoga experts, this particular posture is helpful in perfectly strengthening the lower back muscles. It is one of the most sought after and most frequently performed lying down of the ground asana among the long list of such exercises. It can be practised by both the gender and all age groups. It also comes under the category of one of the basic asanas of lying down on the floor related exercise in the yoga session.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Steps / Instructions / Procedure

Follow the following steps in order to complete the Viparita Shalabhasana.

  1. Initially lie on your stomach with your toes flat on the ground.

  2. Let the chin perfectly rest on the floor.

  3. With your feet lightly touching each other, do keep your legs close together

  4. Then stretch your arms as far as you can out to the front

  5. Take a deep breath in

  6. Now lift your chest, arms, legs and thighs off the floor.

  7. Do make a gentle effort to largely stretch your legs and arms away from the torso.

  8. Do feel the pull at both ends with a lot of perfection.

  9. Do ensure that your knees and elbow aren't bend under any situations and circumstances.

  10. Then keep breathing with awareness.

  11. Do keep your attention on the stretch activities to a great extent

  12. With an exhale, gently lower your arms, chest and legs.

  13. Come to the normal position and take rest in the yoga session.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Anatomical Focus

The anatomical focus of Viparita Shalabhasana are related to legs, head, hands, feet, thighs, neck, chest, waists, hips and stomach.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Therapeutic Applications

The therapeutic advantages and application of Viparita Shalabhasana comes with lot of benefits. It is recommended highly for sportsmen and athletes. It largely stretches and strengthens the legs, hips, waists, stomach, neck and head.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Medical Health Benefits

There are several benefits of Viparita Shalabhasana. Few of them are as follows -

  1. It stretches and strengthens the muscles of the abdomen, chest, shoulders, arms, legs and the lower back.

  2. It tones the lower back and abdominal region.

  3. It massages the spine.

  4. It keeps the back supple.

  5. It largely helps to stretch the chest region.

  6. It perfectly improves blood circulation.

  7. It helps to reduce the mental stress and physical strain.

  8. It is the best exercise for stomach and abs.

  9. It helps to shape the abs and stomach.

  10. It stretches and strengthens the legs and hands.

  11. It helps to improve the body balance.

  12. It reduces any type of pain in the entire body.

  13. It improve the act of balance

  14. It helps to shape the leg structure.

  15. It strengthens the neck portion.

  16. It largely helps to keep the mind very cool and calm.

  17. It helps to gain confidence to face any type of tasks in the personal and professional life.

  18. It increases the stamina of the body.

  19. It large assists to get relief from hips and waists related pains.

  20. It helps to gain height.

  21. It assists to indulge in advanced lying down asanas.

  22. It improves digestion.

  23. It helps to get relief from constipation.

  24. It helps to release unwanted air from the body.

  25. It strengthens the buttocks portion in the body.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Contraindications and Cautions

In case, if you are pregnant or recently undergone any type of abdominal surgery shouldn't practice Viparita Shalabhasana with a lot of perfection. Those who are sick or under any ailment shouldn't indulge in the practice of this yoga posture under any situations and circumstances. This asana shouldn't be performed in any type of hurry burry situations and circumstances. It should be indulged with cool and calm mind in the yoga session.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Beginner's Tip

The beginners who are performing Viparita Shalabhasana should take at most care while balancing their entire body structure with a lot of perfection. Those who aren't able to balance their body structure can opt for any type of supporting props as per the given circumstances and situations in the yoga session.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Variations

Viparita Shalabhasana is one of the flexible asana in which several variations can be perfectly achieved according to the individual limits. With a lot of perfection to a great extent, it can be achieved through master planning and best execution in the given yoga session. Only certain variations can be taken into consideration in the yoga session in a successful manner. The yoga practitioners should give prime importance for the activities of stretch and strengthen of the significant body parts through this asana.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Modifications and Props

It is to be highly noted that Viparita Shalabhasana is a slightly difficult asana that really looks much difficult in the early stages for yoga practitioners but with regular practice it is quiet easy to master it with a lot of perfection. In this asana, different types of props can be used for achieving the act of balance while indulgence to a great extent. The props that are generally used are thick blankets, small tools and chair. These props should be used in need only under certain situations and circumstances in the yoga session.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Partnering

Viparita Shalabhasana can be performed in the presence of an active partner for best performance or results. A partner is person who encourages when things are performed right and corrects when things are done wrong under any type of situations and circumstances. There should be keen interest in the yoga practitioners to cooperate and coordinate with yoga partner. They should have ears to hear their suggestions and advises given from time to time in a yoga session.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Preparatory Poses

The preparatory asana related to Viparita Shalabhasana that can be indulged are certain simple and easy lying down asanas to a great extent in the yoga session.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Follow up Poses

The follow up posees related to Viparita Shalabhasana that can be indulged are certain hard and difficult lying down asanas with a lot of perfection in the yoga session.

Viparita Shalabhasana (Superman Pose) Deepen the Pose

The deepening of the pose related to Viparita Shalabhasana can be successfully achieved in the given yoga session through the extension of each and every step.