Sarvangasana

It is one of the Inverted asanas which reverses the action of gravity on the body.Sarvanga means the whole body and asana means pose, this pose is named so because it involves all parts of the body. Instead of everything being pulled toward the feet, it shifts toward the head.These practices are refreshing and revitalizing.They encourage blood flow to the brain.It nourishes  the cells of the whole human organism.

Getting into the Posture:
1. Lie on your back on the mat. Legs straight with feet together. Head and spine should be aligned.
2. Place hands beside the body with palms facing down.   
3. Relax the entire body and mind.
4.  Contract your stomach muscles, with the support of the arms slowly raise the legs to vertical position, keeping them straight.
5..Now press the arms and hands down on the floor.
6. Slowly and smoothly roll the hips and spine off the floor,raising the trunk to vertical position.
7.Turn your palms upward,bend the elbows and place the hands behind the ribcage, slightly away from spine to support the back.
8.Push your chest forward so that it presses firmly against your chin.
9. This is the final position. The legs are vertical, together and in a straight line with the trunk. The body is supported by the shoulders, nape and back of the head. Close your eyes and relax your whole body.
10. To return to the starting position,bring the legs forward until the feet are above and behind the back of the head.Keep the legs straight. Slowly release the position of the hands and place the arms on the floor beside the body with the palms down.
11. Gradually lower each vertebrae on the floor followed by the hips,the legs resuming their initial vertical position. lower the legs on the floor keeping the knees straight.
12. Relax in Shavasana.
Variation:
Assume sarvangasana. Exhale and lower one leg forward over the body untill it is horizontal to the floor. The leg should be vertical.Inhale, return the leg to the vertical position getting back into sarvangasana. Repeat on the otherside.
Benefits:
1.Stimulates the thyroid gland.
2.Balances the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, reproductive,nervous systems.
3.Tranquillizes the mind, relieves mental and emotional stress.
Contra-indications:
1. Should not be practised by people suffering from enlarged thyroid,liver or spleen, cervical spondylitis,slipped disc, high bp or any heart ailments, weak blood vessels in the eyes.
2. Should be avoided during menstruation and advanced stages of pregnancy.
Settled in  Gurgaon for the last 3 years, Sumita is a yoga enthusiast. She firmly believes that each child is a born yogi.Has been practising yoga for the last 5-6 years in Bangalore and Gurgaon . she quit working once her daughter was born. Now she enjoys motherhood along with pursuing hobbies like light music,reading and cooking and of course doing  yoga.



   

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