Sarvangasana
Description
Sarvangasana: asana
Asana Type
Inverted
PRAMANA
Śāstra Pramāṇa - शास्त्र प्रमाण
Sastra Pramana Source
Rudrayamala Tantra 23.87-90
Original Verse
अथ वक्ष्येऽत्र संक्षेपात् सर्वाङ्गासनमुत्तमम्। यत्कृत्वा योगनिपुणो विद्याभिः पण्डितो यथा।२३.८७॥ अधो निधाय शीर्ष च ऊद्धर्वपादद्वयं चरेत्। पद्मासनं तु तत्रैव भूमौ कूर्परयुग्मकम्॥२३.८८॥
Transliteration
atha vakṣye'tra saṃkṣepāt sarvāṅgāsanamuttamam। yatkṛtvā Yoganipuṇo vidyābhiḥ paṇḍito yathā।23.87॥ adho nidhāya śīrṣa ca ūddharvapādadvayaṃ caret। padmāsanaṃ tu tatraiva bhūmau kūrparayugmakam॥23.88॥
- for extended verse see end of chapter
Translation
Now (I shall talk of) supreme sarvāngāsana briefly. Doing which the one becomes proficient in Yoga like a pandita who is the master of knowledge. (23.87) The head should be placed on the floor and both the legs raised upwards; Position both the elbows on the floor just as in padmāsana. (23.88) The adept practitioner should do this every danda for relaxation; Do not hold the breath without doing the sarvāņgāsana. (23.89) Doing so the subtle breath begins to circulate within a month ; In three months (the sādhaka) attains the stature of a deva and becomes blissful and relaxed. (23.90)
Apta Pramana Source
Yoga Rahasya (N)- I.53-54
Original Verse
विपरीतं मण्डलं च द्विधैव विदितं हि नः । दण्डासनं द्विधा प्रोक्तं विपरीतोपवेशने ॥ सर्वाङ्गशीर्षभागास्तु षट्षष्टिः प्रथितास्तु ते ।
Transliteration
viparītaṃ maṇḍalaṃ ca dvidhaiva viditaṃ hi naḥ । daṇḍāsanaṃ dvidhā proktaṃ viparītopaveśane ॥ sarvāṅgaśīrṣabhāgāstu ṣaṭṣaṣṭiḥ prathitāstu te ।
Translation
Then there are two types of inverted mandalas (arrangements)- Sirsasana and Sarvangasana. Dandasana is also of two types inverted (viparita dandasana) and seated (dandasana). It has been proclaimed that there are sixty six variations of Sarvangasan and sirasasana.
Apta Additional References
Also known as surya-mandala in Yoga-rahasya of Srinatha-muni-I.53 and urdhva-sarvangasana in Sri-Yoga-kaustubha-73. Also found in: YMP-38, KT-II.46, Sri-Yoga-kaustubha-73, Sacitra Cauryayasin Asane-93, Yas-30, Yoga-rahasya of Srinatha-muni-II.13, AR-21:1936
Steps/Technique
1. Lie on the back and bring the knees to the chest. 2. Keep the elbows close to the body and draw the shoulders closer together 3. Lift the legs up to a vertical position supporting the back with the hands 4. Look straight up.
Atma Pramana (Benefits)
- Help relieve Thyroid glands problem. - Good for heart functioning and also prevents palpitations. - Relieve Varicose vein. - Help asthma and respiratory problems. - Good for asthma. - Relieve stomach problems, e.g. ulcer. - Strengthen the body. - Improve sleep. - Soothes headache. - Good for those have hypertension, nervous breakdown, irritation and temper.
Sakshi Pramana Benefits
Feels very feminine, nourising to the system and cooling; like the pose takes care of your system - mother-like energy. It calms one down.
Simple sketch
Sarvangasana-i (SVY-51 YMP-38).jpg Note: Look should be straight up to the feet