Sarvangasana is one of the most important poses in yoga. Some people refer sarvangasana as the “great mother pose.” The core yoga pose can be calming on the body, like a mother nurturing her child.
Though it’s slightly advanced, with practice, you would notice how wonderful your body and mind feels after it.1
Benefits Of Sarvangasana
1. Improves Thyroid Function
Sarvangasana stimulates the thyroid gland. The pose pushes more blood flow to the throat and stabilizes their function. The pituitary and parathyroid glands also perform better with this pose because of increased blood circulation. This makes it beneficial for people who suffer from any thyroid related issue.
2. Boosts Blood Circulation
Sarvangasana enhances the blood circulatory system. There is increased blood flow to the head, face, and throat. In fact, runners feel doing the sarvangasana helps them cope with muscle soreness and fatigue. It can also prevent leg soreness later. Also, people who often get headaches find relief with regular practice.
3. Smoother Digestion
With this pose, blood is drained from the legs and other lower regions of the body. This could cause relief to people who suffer from varicose veins. And that’s not all. Since there’s a lot of blood moving to the digestive system, it smoothens digestion and abdominal issues, including constipation and indigestion.
4. Healthier Reproductive System
Sarvangasana is great for the reproductive system in both genders. In women, it strengthens the uterine wall and helps those with menstrual issues. For men with prostate related issues, practicing sarvangasana is recommended.2
5. Happy Heart
One study confirms that doing sarvangasana is great for the heart. It found out sarvangasana resulted in preventing and treating hypertension-associated heart issues. Also, in 2 weeks of doing the pose, the resting heart rate had reduced. A healthy heart should ideally have a low resting heart rate.3
6. Strengthens Arms And Legs
No surprises here. To do the sarvangasana, your entire body needs to be resting on your arms. Also, the muscles in your legs need to hold them tight and straight for composure. This requires your muscles and bones to be strong and firm, as well a flexible spine.
How To Do Sarvangasana
- Lie on a mat with your hands straight on either side
- Lift your legs straight up or bend your knees and then raise your legs
- Place your palms on your back and hips, and lift your body. Your weight should now be supported by your shoulders
- Keeping your legs firm and heels high, hold this pose as long as you can
- Do not be in a hurry to go back down, instead release your body back to the mat slowly
A Few Tips
- Your legs need to be straight but don’t them get tensed and don’t point your toes
- If you are new to the pose, aim to hold it for at least a minute, then progress to 3 minutes
- Try not to press your neck into the floor. If you feel uncomfortable, go back to the original position
- This might be tricky, but if you feel like sneezing or coughing, go back down. Otherwise, you risk hurting your back or neck
- After sarvangasana, do matsyasana (fish pose) or chakrasana (wheel pose) to feel an amazing stretch
- Pregnant women and people with high blood pressure, slip disc, and heart problems need to talk to their doctors before doing sarvangasana
Once you start doing sarvangasana, you feel stronger, flexible, and your insides feel amazing. So, get going!
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