Yoga: Three reasons you should not do Shoulderstand

Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana)

Healthy thyroid means healthy functioning of all the organs of the body

Yogasana the third limb of Raja Yoga also popularly understood by mass population as yoga is getting popular as never before in both eastern and western countries. The reason for Yogasana (popularly know as Yoga) to gain popularity are numerous ranging from releasing stress, flexibility to helping patient suffering from various disease. Although the initial objective of Yogasana (Yoga) in Raja Yoga was different, however the ability of yoga to help patient with various ailments is really praiseworthy.

The Shoulderstand is called the Queen of all asanas as it benefits the whole body. It is a forward-bending posture engaging all parts of the body and stretching the shoulders, neck and upper back. In the Shoulderstand the whole body is supported by the hands, arms and shoulders. As the body is inverted the blood flows to the heart without any strain by force of the gravity.

The Shoulderstand nourishes the thyroid gland which: regulates the bodys metabolism, controls the heart rate, promotes the growth and balances the digestive and nervous system. This asana tones the legs and abdomen increasing circulation to those areas. It massages the abdominal organs and it relieves stress. Because of the enriched blood flow to the brain it also relieves emotional and mental stress, headaches and it is very tranquilising.

When you are in the Shoulderstand there will be a sensation of extra pressure and tension in the neck because of the severe flexion in the neck. Your eyes, ears and face may also experience an increased sensation of pressure.

During the Shoulderstand the expansion of the chest is restricted leading to breathe at the rates of not less than eight breaths per minutes, and in many cases up to twenty breaths per minute. During holding this posture the blood pressure in the brain will be an average of 110mmHg.

Three important reasons (out of many) you should not do Shoulderstand:

1) If you have High Blood Pressure the posture is better to avoid.

2) Anyone who has Cervical Spondylities should not attempt to practice this pose because as you hold the pose the weight of the body is taken through the neck.

3) If you have Glaucoma or Detached Retina please, avoid the Shoulderstand as it could worsen the condition.

Issued in the interest of people practicing Hatha Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.

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What is Yoga?

Yoga comes from a Hindu philosophy used to attain spiritual insight and harmony, but generally refers in common use to a system of exercises that is practiced as part of this discipline. The word itself is derived from the Sanskrit "yeung", meaning to join. A yoke as used on oxen is closely related, but also the same root gives us "join", "junction", "junta", "adjust", "joust", and "juxapose" to name a few. The Mueller Center offers classes for both beginners and those more advanced. ...
Meaning union with the divine, yoga is a philosophy and discipline applied to the development of mind, body, and spirit. There are many disciplines of yoga emphasizing different aspects or combination of mind body spirit. Through practices of holding a variety of body positions or asanas, and the centering of the mind and breath in a meditative way, the practitioner increases body awareness, posture, flexibility of body and mind and calmness of spirit.
An ancient system of practices originating in India. It is aimed at integrating mind, body and spirit to enhance health and well-being. There are many different forms of yoga. Hatha yoga — the most widely practised form of yoga in the Western world — uses specific postures and breathing exercises.