About this Asana Digest

Poses

Salamba Sarvangasana (Whole Body Supported Posture / Shoulderstand), and related poses such as Ardha Sarvangasana (Half Shoulderstand), plus the more advanced Shoulderstand Cycle

Objective

Become knowledgeable about the pose and review detailed teaching considerations.

Description

Explain the Sanskrit naming; contraindications and cautions; associated benefits and typical effects; instructions and cues for setting up and practicing the pose; variations to meet particular intentions and needs; and more teaching considerations.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Asana Digests focus in on teaching specific poses. Please be aware of the groundwork and teaching support here:  Asana Category – Inversion Poses.

Salamba Sarvangasana

sah-LAHM-bah SAHR-vahn-GAH-sah-nah
“salamba” = supported
“sarva” = all or whole
“anga” = limb or body
Whole Body Supported Posture
Also known as: Supported Shoulderstand

Heart of the Pose

Inversion

Notes

• Called the “Queen” or “Mother” of all asanas.
• To avoid putting too much pressure on cervical vertebrae, Ardha Sarvangasana is a milder version where hips are aligned over elbows.

Introspection + The Mother Archetype of Compassion & Nurturance

Each posture affects your subtle energy differently. Shoulderstand represents the energies of the Mother archetype­ — compassionate, nurturing, benevolent — and focuses your gaze on yourself, as compared with Sirsasana (Headstand), for example, which has you face outward. Shoulderstand lets you be introspective. This is especially true for propped versions… Accepting support allows you to give up your ambition in the pose and take deep rest physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. – Judith Hanson Lasater link

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• Asana Categories
• General Alignment Principles
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