Shoulder Stand (Sarvaungasana)

Sarvaungasana, also known as Shoulder Stand is, is an inverted asana used in the exercise. The name comes from the Samskrta word 'Sarvanga' which means "all limbs" or "the entire body" and 'asana' which means posture. This asana has two variations, the first one being the Shoulder Stand, and the second being the Shoulder Stand with Lotus.

This asana strengthens all of the cakras and thus maintains the body's overall health. It pressurizes the thyroid and parathyroid glands, fully exercises the vocal cords, and may remove calcium, iron, and iodine deficiencies. This is also good for gout or stiffness of the knees.

It should not be prescribed for persons over 60 with high blood pressure.

How to Execute Sarvaungasana:

1. Lie down on your back, keeping the spine and the rest of the body aligned.
2. Gradually raise the lower half of the body vertically using the core muscles as you do so. Support the hips with your hands (thumbs above the hips and the rest of the fingers underneath the hips).
3. Continue to raise the rest of the body, resting one's weight on the shoulders. This position is also called U'rdhvapadmasana.

Practice: Shoulder Stand (Sarvaungasana) 3 rounds x 2-5 minutes per round.

It is good to alternate this pose with the Fish pose (Matsyamudra).