Sarvangasana

Sarvangasana (pronounced SAHR-vahn-GAH-sah-nah) (; IAST: sarvāṅgāsana) or Shoulderstand is an asana.

Many variations of Shoulderstand exist, the likely most common to be taught is Supported Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana).

Sarvangasana is nicknamed "queen" or "mother" of all the yoga poses.

Etymology

The name in the case of Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand) comes from the Sanskrit words Salamba (सालम्ब, Sālamba) meaning "supported", Sarva (सर्व, Sarva) meaning "all" or "every", Anga (अङ्ग, Aṅga) meaning "limbs" or "bodyparts", and Asana (आसन, Āsana) meaning "posture" or "seat", thus Salamba Sarvangasana (सालम्ब सर्वाङ्गासन, Sālamba Sarvāṅgāsana) literally translats to "supported-all-limbs-pose".

Description

Lying on the back with the hands under the mid-back, the legs and lower body are lifted so that the weight of the body is supported on the head, neck, shoulders and upper arms. The gaze is towards the toes and the head is aligned with the mid-line of the body.

Advanced practitioners...
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