Yoga: Three reasons you should not do yoga posture Shoulder stand

21st July 2006 London: A lot has been publicized in media about benefits of Yogasana the third limb of Rajayoga (popularly understood as Yoga). The benefits are ranging from Stress management, flexibility, helping in cancer etc. However like every other science, Yogasana (yoga) is also a science and benefits most when you follow it under right health conditions.


The same yoga posture may benefits some people and may be harmful for other depending upon your body health conditions. Let’s understand, for example posture The Shoulder stand (Sarvangasana) is called the Queen of all asanas as it benefits the whole body. It is a forward-bending posture engaging all parts of the body and stretching the shoulders, neck and upper back. As the body is inverted the blood flows to the heart without any strain by force of the gravity. During holding this posture the blood pressure in the brain will be an average of 110mmHg.

The Shoulder stand nourishes the thyroid gland which: regulates the body’s metabolism, controls the heart rate, promotes the growth and balances the digestive and nervous system. This asana tones the legs and abdomen increasing circulation to those areas. It massages the abdominal organs and it relieves stress. Because of the enriched blood flow to the brain it also relieves emotional and mental stress, headaches and it is very tranquilizing.

However among many body conditions following are three physical conditions under which this same yoga posture shoulder stand which is quite beneficial is not recommended.

1) If you have High Blood Pressure the posture is better to avoid.
2) Anyone who has Cervical Spondylitis should not attempt to practice this pose because as you hold the pose the weight of the body is taken through the neck.
3) If you have Glaucoma or Detached Retina please, avoid the Shoulder stand as it could worsen the condition.

Issued in interest of people practicing Yoga by Subodh Gupta, Yoga Expert based in London.
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Mr.Subodh Gupta, a Corporate Yoga Trainer has conducted more than 500 workshops on Yoga and Stress Management. He has been interviewed by various TV channels in India and London.

Contact Information

Subodh Gupta

Corporate Yoga Trainer

Indian Foundation for Scientific Yoga and Stress Management

Contact via E-mail