Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand)

Salamba Sarvangasana is a supported inversion asana in Hatha Yoga.

Overview

Salamba Sarvangasana, meaning “supported all-limb pose,” is a shoulderstand where the hands support the lower back, allowing the body to remain vertical with weight on the shoulders and upper arms. It is considered the “queen” of yoga poses.

Method/Content

From a supine position, the legs are lifted overhead and the hips are raised. The hands are placed on the lower back for support, with elbows shoulder-width apart on the floor. The body extends vertically with the chin tucked toward the chest (Jalandhara Bandha). The weight rests on the shoulders and upper arms, not the neck. The pose is held with steady breathing.

Purpose/Benefits

Shoulderstand improves circulation, stimulates the thyroid gland, and calms the nervous system. It relieves pressure on the legs and feet and improves lymphatic drainage. The pose is believed to have numerous therapeutic benefits for the endocrine and nervous systems.

Verification Notes

• The classical precursor viparīta-karaṇī appears in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita; the full supported shoulderstand is documented in later manuals such as the 19th-century Śrītattvanidhi.
• Traditionally followed by Matsyasana as counter-pose