Supported Shoulderstand

Salamba Sarvangasana

Supported Shoulderstand lifts the whole body vertical onto the shoulders, hands bracing the back, in the queen of the finishing postures. It reverses circulation and calms the nervous system while strengthening the core. Weight rests on the shoulders and upper arms, never the neck.

Alignment cues

• Support the back with the hands, elbows shoulder-width
• Stack the hips and legs over the shoulders
• Reach up through the feet and keep the neck long and free

Benefits

• Calms the nervous system through inversion
• Builds shoulder and core strength
• Improves circulation

Modifications

• Stack folded blankets under the shoulders to protect the neck
• Keep the knees bent over the face for support if lifting the legs is too much