SUPINE POSES
SARVANGASANA
Lie flat on your back with legs straight and together, arms by the side of your body.
Breathe in, raising your legs up together keeping the knees straight, till they are perpendicular to the ground.
Lift your hips off the ground and place your palms beneath your hips.
Straighten your body by sliding your palms higher on your trunk, while raising your hips and legs further up till the trunk and legs are in a straight line; and until the whole weight of the body is resting on your shoulders.
Rest your elbows on the floor with palms supporting the back and moving the elbows closer to each other.
Bring your chest towards your chin and form a chin lock. Raise your hips and legs further up till the trunk and legs are in a straight line.
Close your eyes, hold and stay in the position with gentle, long and deep breaths – in and out six times.
STAGE I
Stretch legs to the sides.
Slowly spread both legs to the sides. Keep the knees straight and feel the stretch.
Take slow and deep breaths – in and out six times.
STAGE II
Adopt Namaskar Mudra.
Slowly fold your legs, bringing your feet together with soles touching each other.
Take slow and deep breaths – in and out six times.
Breathe in, slowly raise the legs and come back to Sarvangasana.
STAGE III
Lower the foot and stretch back and forth.
Breathe out, lower your right foot to the ground and stretch the legs.
Take gentle, long and deep breaths – in and out six times. Breathe in, take the legs up.
Repeat with the other leg and come back to Sarvangasana.
BENEFITS
Sarvangasana acts on the thyroid gland, the pituitary and the brain. By simultaneously balancing them,
Sarvangasana helps to balance the entire endocrinal system as well as all the systems that are dependent on the hormonal system such as the circulatory, respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems.
Due to its direct influence on the thyroid gland, it helps to remove many diseases and maintain good health of the entire body.
By improving the efficiency of the thyroid gland (controls the metabolism of the body controls the metabolism of the body) through Sarvangasana, one can maintain correct body weight. Sarvangasana helps to normalize the body weight by balancing the endocrine system.
Regular practice of Sarvangasana helps to maintain youthfulness and rejuvenate an aging body.
Sarvangasana improve the blood supply to the brain and nourishes the brain with more blood.
Wrinkles and spots on the face are reduced by improving the blood supply.
The influence of Sarvangasana on the parathyroid gland helps to ensure normal bone growth and regeneration and can prevent premature ossification of the bones.
Sarvangasana bends the cervical region of the spine in a forward direction, improves the flexibility of the vertebrae and tones the nerves that pass through the neck, to and from the brain. The nerves in this region receive a fresh supply of oxygenated blood, which helps to keep them in good condition.
Bending of the spine at the neck helps to remove backache and headache.
Sarvangasana is useful for asthmatics, and treating varicose veins.
This Asana is very useful for toning the legs and removing fatigue.
Regular practice helps to remove various types of digestive ailments, especially where they are caused by blood congestion or general inefficiency of the organs.
Sarvangasana tones the reproductive organs. It had been found useful in helping to relieve menstrual and menopausal disorders.
Sarvangasana helps to eliminate and prevent various types of throat and nose ailments. During Sarvangasana, the whole region of the neck, throat and face is flooded with fresh oxygenated blood which helps to improve the nourishment of the entire area and the many organs in this vicinity – the tonsils, the ears, the eyes, the lungs, the thymus and so forth all benefit from the improved blood supply.
Sarvangasana increases the resistance of the body to disease by influencing both the tonsils and thymus.
Sarvangasana is an excellent method for tranquilizing the mind and helps to bring harmony and peace into one’s life.
