Salamba Sarvangasana II (Supported Shoulder Stand II)

Salamba Sarvangasana II (Supported Shoulder Stand II), also known as Shalamba sarvangasana II. Salamba translates to support, sarv means everything, anga means frame. It is known as the "Mother of all Yoga Poses" as it benefits the mind and entire body. Salamba Sarvangasana is an intermediate, supine balancing and inversion asana. In this asana your will support your whole body on your shoulders. A great asana for our immune system by stimulating the lymphatic system. This asana comes many variations:

• Ardha Sarvangasana (Half Shoulder Stand Pose)

• Salamba Sarvangasana I (Supported Shoulder Stand I)

• Salamba Sarvangasana II (Supported Shoulder Stand II)
  

Not to be confused with Kandrasana (Shoulder Stand Pose), where your whole body is balanced on your upper shoulders or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge pose A + B).

How to perform Salamba Sarvangasana II (Supported Shoulder Stand II)?

1. When in Salamba Sarvangasana I (Supported Shoulder Stand I), extend your hands straight behind you and grasp your hands. Always make sure to never turn your head in any direction in this asana.
   

2. Be sure not to bend your neck to any side while in the asana and stay for 6 breaths while keeping your gaze up at your toes.
   

3. Exhale, and lower your torso supported by your hands and finally lower your legs.

Modifications

Practice with Salamba Sarvangasana I or Ardha Sarvangasana (Half Shoulder Stand), lowering your leg against a chair. Use blanket under your shoulders. If your balance is unstable, practice this asana against a wall. Place your legs in different position, bent, straight, soles facing each other, lotus, in plow pose behind you.

Benefits

• Strengthens shoulders and neck

• Works on your balance

• Lengthening spine

• A great pose to activate all the chakras, and mainly the lower three.

• Lymphatic system

• Stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid glands

• Improves digestion and relieves constipation

Contraindications

• Neck or shoulder issues

• Menstruation

• Pregnancy

• Spine issues or back pain

• High blood pressure

• Throat ache

• Any problems with your internal organs.

Chakras

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara Chakra)

Third Eye Chakra (Ajna Chakra)

Throat Chakra (Vishuddha Chakra)

Solar Plexus (Manipura Chakra)

Elements

Thought

Light

Ether

Fire

Chakra

Crown chakra (Sahasrara Chakra)

Third eye chakra (Ajna chakra)

Throat chakra (Vishuddha Chakra)

Solar Plexus (Manicure Chakra)

Dosha

Vata

Pitta

Dristhi

Foot or navel