Salamba Sarvangasana
Shoulder stand (prep)
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The benefits of practicing inversions are vast:
At the end of a yoga class, inversions help to divert blood from the legs into the abdominal region, which means a fresh flow of oxygenated blood to the organs. This improves both digestive, reproductive and brain functions.
Physical:
Emotional:
Contradictions:
At the end of a yoga class, inversions help to divert blood from the legs into the abdominal region, which means a fresh flow of oxygenated blood to the organs. This improves both digestive, reproductive and brain functions.
Physical:
- Strengthens the neck
- Stimulates the Thyroid and the Parathyroid glands
- reverses the action of gravity
- relieves constipation
- the blood and lymph move in the opposite direction to usual
- improves the immune system
- Promotes good blood circulation
- Eases fatigue
- Gets the blood flowing to the brain, improving brain function
- Improves eyesight
- Brings blood to the upper body cavity with the heart, and lungs
- helps with respiratory tract problems
- Helps with sinus
- Can help cure mild Spondylitis if practiced with care
- good for runners, moving the blood out of the legs
- relieves varicose veins
- strengthens the shoulders
- Strengthens the spine and the back
Emotional:
- From this topsy-turvy angle we can see everything from a different perspective
- calms the nerves by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system
- Boosts self confidence
- decreases depression and anxiety
Contradictions:
- Back pain or spine injury.
- Sore neck can be supported on folded blankets
- If under treatment for spondylitis.
- Heart problems,
- aged
- less flexibility or control on the body
- Weak internal organs
- High blood pressure.
- Pregnancy
- menstruation.
- Throat infection or ear infection
1. Lie with back on the floor, feet flat on the floor about hip-width apart, arms along sides of the body, palms up.
2. Bend knees in toward chest.
3. Roll hips up and over until legs straighten and toes come to the floor behind the head.
4. Place hands on low back for support, fingertips face up.
5. Lift right leg toward the ceiling.
6. Lift leg toward the ceiling.
7. Press (straight) legs into each other.
8. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths.
9. Keeping legs straight, lower legs at the same time behind the head until toes touch the floor.
10. Lower hands to the floor, palms up.
11. Roll back to the floor one vertebra at a time until hips reach the floor.
12. Bend knees, place feet on floor.
2. Bend knees in toward chest.
3. Roll hips up and over until legs straighten and toes come to the floor behind the head.
4. Place hands on low back for support, fingertips face up.
5. Lift right leg toward the ceiling.
6. Lift leg toward the ceiling.
7. Press (straight) legs into each other.
8. Hold for 3 to 5 breaths.
9. Keeping legs straight, lower legs at the same time behind the head until toes touch the floor.
10. Lower hands to the floor, palms up.
11. Roll back to the floor one vertebra at a time until hips reach the floor.
12. Bend knees, place feet on floor.
Half Sholderstand
Benefits:
Physical: Releases lower back and sacrum
Emotional:
1. Lie on back, palms downs, knees bent, feet on floor and hip-width apart.
2. Lift feet off floor, bend knees into chest.
3. Roll knees back until they rest on forehead, soles of feet facing the ceiling.
4. Place hands on low back, fingers pointing toward ceiling, gently tuck right and left arms closer to body.
5. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths.
6. Place palms back on floor, slowly roll torso to floor one vertebra at a time, place feet on floor.
Benefits:
Physical: Releases lower back and sacrum
Emotional:
- Builds confidence
- Relaxing
- improves mental alertness
1. Lie on back, palms downs, knees bent, feet on floor and hip-width apart.
2. Lift feet off floor, bend knees into chest.
3. Roll knees back until they rest on forehead, soles of feet facing the ceiling.
4. Place hands on low back, fingers pointing toward ceiling, gently tuck right and left arms closer to body.
5. Hold for 5 to 10 breaths.
6. Place palms back on floor, slowly roll torso to floor one vertebra at a time, place feet on floor.