Salamba Sarvangasana I (Supported Shoulder Stand I)

Salamba Sarvangasana I (Supported Shoulder Stand I), also known as Shalamba sarvangasana I. Salamba translates to support. Sarv means everything, anga means frame. 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 in two variations:

• Ardha Sarvangasana (Half Shoulder Stand Pose)

• Salamba Sarvangasana I (Supported Shoulder Stand I)

• Salamba Sarvangasana II (Supported Shoulder Stand II)

How to perform Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulder Stand)?

1. Start in Savasana and bend your knees. Choose to go into plow pose or stay with your bent knees above you. Your arms are supporting your back, keeping your elbows grounded while lifting from the neck to the tailbone.
   

2. On an exhale, start lifting your torso by walking your hands on your back while lengthening your body from the hips.
   

3. 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.
   

4. On an exhale, lower your torso supported by your hands and finally lower your legs.

Modifications

Experiment with Half shoulder stand or supported shoulder stand 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