Sarvangasana for all the women

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY!

Hope you all have had an amazing day! My day started off teaching yoga, with a women's theme of course. We practised some of my favourite yoga poses with a lot of female power (think Warrior ll, Lord of the Dance and Bow) and celebrated ourselves and our bodies all throughout the class. An hour of bliss.

One of the yoga poses that has always fascinated me the most is Sarvangasana, or shoulderstand. 

Actually, it might be one of the first poses that I ever tried out. If you don't count basic poses such as a cross legged or savasana, obviously. 

Sarvangasana always came so naturally to me, to just throw my feet up into air, resting them on the wall - or as a free stand, with my back resting in the palms of the hands. 

It is like my body is asking me to do this pose; it really helps me to clear my mind. 

Next time you feel restless, agitated or stuck in a rut - try it out. Only after a few minutes of pressing down through the upper arms and watching your toes reach up towards the sky, your mind and senses will heighten and most likely, you will feel back in tune with the now. Feeling grounded, focused and with a new frame of mind 

Preparing for and moving into Sarvangasana

1. Fold a few blankets, evenly and to a large enough piece to fit your arms and back. 
2. Place your blankets at the top of your yoga mat or about 50 cm away from the wall. Turn the folded edges towards the wall or the edge of the mat
3. Lie down on your back with the shoulders two centimeters away from the folded edge. 
4. Bend your knees and bring the arms in by your sides, palms facing up. 
5. Root your shoulders and arms into the blanket.
6. Inhale gently, and as you exhale swing your legs up in the air and/or against the wall. 
7. Bend the elbows and place the palms of your hands on your lower back with the fingers pointing up.
8. Keep your elbows in line with the shoulders and keep you neck still for good alignment
9.. Reach out through the toes and bear the body weight through the foundation - your elbows, shoulders, and head. Each point should bear weight, but your elbows should bear the most, followed by your shoulders and your head. 
10. If your neck is comfortable and your setup feels like a breeeze, stay for 5 to 10 breaths. Then, slowly release from the pose. Gradually increase the time spent in the pose, to eventually remain in the pose for five peaceful minutes.