My AshtangaPrimary Series

An illustration of Salamba Sarvangasana, Supported Shoulderstand, from the Ashtanga Primary Series.

Salamba Sarvangasana

Supported Shoulderstand

Sanskrit
Salamba Sarvangasana
English
Supported Shoulderstand
Sequence
Closing · step 110 of 124
Held for
25 breaths
Drishti
Nasagrai, tip of nose

Getting into Salamba Sarvangasana

Lying on your back, use your abdominal strength (or a small rock backward) to lift both legs and hips off the floor and overhead, supporting your lower back with your hands, elbows grounded. Straighten your torso and legs up toward the ceiling so your body is in one vertical line, weight on your shoulders, not your neck.

What a teacher would tell you

  • Both feet close.
  • Straight up.
  • Gaze toward the nose.

These are the corrections My Ashtanga speaks aloud while you hold the posture.

The whole series, counted aloud in Sanskrit or English: My Ashtanga on the App Store · the full sequence · printable chart