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Yoga -
Sarvangasana |
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What is Sarvangasana? |
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In
Sanskrit, Sarva means the whole and Anga means body or limb or part.
Thus Sarvanga means the whole body or all the limbs and Sarvangasana
refers the pose that benefits the whole body. It is one of the
inverted poses of yoga that is also known as shoulder Stand as the
body balanced on the shoulders in final position of the asana. This
asana is sometimes called a "candle" also because the body resembles a
candle in this pose. |
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What is the method of practicing Sarvangasana? |
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Start with lying on your back. Then bend your knees so as the
soles of your feet touch the ground, legs should be together.
Place hands on your hips or waist, with your thumbs pointing for
ward on the waist and palms and fingers underneath the back
supporting it.
Now
exhale and swing your knees up over your abdomen, keeping your
legs bent and raising your torso. Shift your body weight onto your
shoulders and upper back. Press your elbows into the ground as
your hands support your back. Bring elbows as close together as
you can, taking care to keep your hands level on your back.
Straighten your legs so that they point diagonally upward. Hold
this position, relaxing your hips into the support of your hands.
To extend the position, inhale as you push your hips further
forward, bringing your chest toward your chin. Aim your legs and
torso toward the vertical. Once again bring your elbows closer
together, pinching your shoulder blades together and shifting your
hands to support your upper back as close to your shoulders as
possible. Hold them on the ground, parallel to each other and
pointing away from your head, with facing down.
You
can place a folded blanket under your shoulders as it provides a
soft, raised surface for your shoulders, reducing the curve of the
throat and pressure on the neck. |
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What
are the benefits of practicing Sarvangasana? |
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As the
name suggests this asana benefits the whole body and also called mother or
queen of the asana for this quality. Mainly this pose benefits the
thyroid gland and helps to work it at peak efficiency. It's the thyroid
gland which is mainly responsible for your correct weight and youthful
appearance. Hence this asana helps to retain youthfulness. It also
regulates the sex glands. It builds up the power and a new structure in
your back and relaxes tension in well-known stress areas like the neck and
the lower back. It vitalizes the nerves, purifies the blood and promotes
good circulation. It is beneficial for people suffering with poor
circulation, constipation, indigestion, asthma and reduced virility. This
pose is also good for women especially after childbirth and for those
suffering with painful menstruation, other female disorders, and seminal
weakness.
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What
are the cautions? |
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One
should not practice this asana if he or she is suffering from organic
disorders of the thyroid gland, blood pressure, glaucoma, hernias,
cardiovascular disease, cervical spondylitis, thrombosis, arteriosclerosis,
and kidney problems. Be very cautious if you are suffering from chronic
nasal catarrh. Women should not practice this pose during menstruation as it
reverses blood flow. If you have any neck injury then do this asana after
consulting a yoga teacher and under supervision.
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