H2O Magazine

Yoga posture: Sarvangasana

Yoga teaches us many postures to revitalize our body in general and organs in particular. Every yoga posture affects different parts of body uniquely. Yogic postures can help one to improve breathing, easing blood circulation, increase muscle strength, and improve flexibility of body. When one practice yoga regularly, it can benefit the practitioner immensely from improved health to increased body vitality. In addition, yoga cause detoxification of the body with the improved efficiency of the organs of the body which leads to youthfulness and anti-ageing effects

Inverted body posture

Sarvangasana or Shoulderstand is an inverted asana or pose in yoga. Considered the queen of asanas or postures, Sarvangasana is important and beneficial pose. Its name in Sanskrit literally means “posture of the complete body.” Indeed, inverted postures work by reversing the effects of gravity on certain parts of the body. Further, Sarvangasana targets most parts of the body.

Sarvangasana relieves bronchitis, dyspepsia, varicose veins and increase digestive capacity. Inverted postures such as Sarvangasana affect the distribution of blood around the body, reducing the volume in what is normally the lower body and used in treating conditions such as hemorrhoids.

Improves blood circulation

Sarvangasana helps promote good blood circulation, as it directs the blood flow of the entire lower body towards the heart. This asana also helps prevent and reduce varicose veins by reducing the pressure on the legs and directing blood clogged in the veins upwards to the heart. Incidentally, this asana can reduce the pressure on heart since the heart has to work hard to ensure blood pushed upward to the brain while we are standing. During Sarvangasana, the heart gets relief as the blood directly relayed to the brain. The increased blood flow can be beneficial for those who suffer from headaches, though not advised to practice the asana at the time of headache.  Continued to next page…