Turning the World Safely Upside Down Part II

The Safe Practice of Headstand and Shoulderstand Continued....

Not a Neck Stand

Another common inversion is sarvangasana or shoulder stand. Shoulderstand can be a great chest opener, a way to relieve swelling in the legs and is traditionally credited with stimulating the thyroid gland and abdominal organs.

Shoulderstand requires us to place the neck into a deep flexion. It is important that we support the cervical spine by allowing weight to rest on the fleshy part of our upper shoulders and back. We can improve this by rolling our shoulders under slightly to begin the pose, so that we are open across the collar bones and help maintain the lordotic curve of the neck. To take some of the weight off of the neck and upper shoulders we can practice ardha sarvangasana or half shoulderstand. In this version, we do not bring the feet all the way up to vertical but allow the weight of the body to be well supported by the hands on the lower spine, with the body and legs at approximately a 45 degree angle. It is important never to move the head around in the pose to avoid awkwardly weighting the neck.

Shoulderstand is an advanced posture and should only be practiced under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Individuals with high blood pressure or ocular disorders should consult a health care practitioner familiar with yoga before proceeding.

The Joy of Limitation
Once we understand the anatomy and mechanics of our bodies, we are better able to practice yoga with respect for our limitations. Knowing what we are capable of, and what our potential weaknesses are, allows us to challenge ourselves in other ways and opens doors in our practice we may never have thought to open. Enjoy the view from down there.