2-17-10 Shoulderstand

Shoulderstand, Sarvangasana, is called the Queen of all yoga postures. Why?
*Restores energy

*Reduces tension

*Calms breath
*Relieves asthma and migraines

*Strengthens the immune system

*Flushes impurities

*Stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid (these regulate the

flow of energy through the body

*Stimulates the control mechanisms in the heart and arteries

along the outside of the neck that monitor blood pressure

*Positively affects the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal

cord and brain, fluching regions where fluid has pooled

In the drawing, note how the different muscles are colored. The darker the blue, the greater the contraction. Similarly, the darker

the red the greater the lengthening.

To prepare for this pose, we utilized the wall in poses like Warrior 1 (Virabhadrasana 1) with our shins on a block along the wall, and Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) with our heels on the wall. We also worked through several chest opening asanas, shoulder stretches, and leg energizers.

Remember to ALWAYS have space under your neck - that is why we used numerous blankets under our upper back. And using a wall along your back body as you learn this pose is invaluable.

The quote for tonight's practice was from Aadil Palkhivala: "The world may care about what we are. Our hearts care about who we are."