Photo credit: Neeta Lind
Sarvāngāsana (shoulder stand) is known as the Mother of yoga postures.
The Mother creates happiness and health in the home—likewise, this posture creates happiness and health in the body.
This is why it is called Sarvāngāsana—sarvā means everything and angā means limbs. Therefore, it transliterates as the posture that is good for every aspect and every limb of the human being.
Here are 10 specific benefits of practicing this particular pose every day:
1. It bathes the lymph nodes in fresh lymph by increasing the circulation around the lymphatic system. This nourishes the whole body.
2. Inverting the body from the neck up means that gravity increases the venous blood flow to the heart, brain and eyes. This relaxes the heart and decreases the heart rate, and it brings clarity to the mind and sight.
3. It lengthens the spinal nerves, which relieves tension in the head, neck and shoulders.
4. According to the authoritative text, Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iygenar states, “persons suffering from breathlessness, palpitation, asthma, bronchitis and throat ailments get relief from this posture.”
5. It is excellent for those suffering from thyroid disorders. Shoulder stand brings balance and regulates the hormone secretion of both the thyroid and parathyroid glands in the neck. This indirectly is very good for flexibility.
6. It soothes the nervous system. This is an excellent posture for those who suffer from stress, tension, anxiety (high blood pressure, only if it is taught by an expert yoga teacher) and shortness of temper.
7. It is excellent for sleep. Shoulder stand helps those who are suffering from insomnia.
8. It increases energy when practiced in the mornings. It lifts and sustains one’s energy levels dramatically when practiced every day. Therefore, it is especially good for those suffering from a fatigued body and mind.
9. It is excellent for fat loss. It increases the metabolism. It strengthens digestion by returning “agni” (fire) to the abdominal organs—liver, spleen, pancreas and stomach.
10. When done correctly shoulder stand tones the muscles of the gluteus, back, thighs and abdominals. This will benefit your balance and stability.
There are many other benefits of shoulder stand. These are just a few of the main ones.
Women should not practice shoulder stand during menstruation. There are also contraindications for shoulder stands if you have neck pain or injury, so shoulder stand should only be practiced under the guidance of a good yoga teacher.
Marcus Julian Felicetti became a yoga teacher soon after discovering yoga at university. His classes are fun and passionate and often intense. They offer students the chance to go deep within and connect with their breath and release their emotions. Marcus communicates his love of yoga through guiding each student with insight and compassion, weaving ancient wisdom with simplicity and an emphasis on the student’s experience. His primary objective is to teach a system of yoga that fully integrates the body, mind and spirit, and channels that energy to its highest potential and purpose. Marcus continues to grow his own yoga practice every day while passionate about helping others connect to theirs. He teaches private one-on-one yoga in Sydney and his business, Bodhi Yoga, teaches quality corporate yoga classes in Sydney.