Sarvangasana — Shoulder Stand — is often called the queen of asanas. It calms the nervous system, nourishes the thyroid gland, and invites the practitioner into a profound stillness that is difficult to access in any other way.
This is an intermediate pose. If you are new to inversions, practice Viparita Karani (Legs Up the Wall) instead — it offers many of the same benefits with less demand on the neck and shoulders.
For Sarvangasana: Lie on your back with a folded blanket under your shoulders (not your neck). Bend your knees and roll the hips up, supporting the back with your hands. Straighten the legs toward the ceiling. The weight should be on the shoulders and upper arms — not the neck. Stay for 1–5 minutes, breathing steadily.
Come down slowly, rolling the spine back to the floor. Rest in Savasana for several breaths.
This is the stillpoint of summer — the inversion that turns the world right-side up.
With care,
Tiffany Bergin, C-IAYT, CIYT
Be Aligned · Therapeutic Yoga · Functional Nutrition · Somatic Ceramics