Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Niralamba Sarvangasana Mean?
Niralamba sarvangasana is an advanced balancing inversion requiring flexibility in the shoulders and neck, while stimulating the thyroid gland, in addition to improving balance. From Sanskrit, nir means “without”; alamba means “support”; sarvanga means “all limb” or “whole body”; and asana means “pose.”
From sarvangasana (shoulder stand), the arms are lifted alongside the body with the fingers spread and pointing skyward. The drishti is also toward the sky.
In English, it is called unsupported shoulder stand.
Yogapedia Explains Niralamba Sarvangasana
In addition to its physical benefits, niralamba sarvangasana:
- Calms the brain
- Reduces fatigue
- Relieves stress and mild depression
- Promotes mental, emotional and spiritual balance
This posture – as well as other variations of sarvangasana – is also believed to activate the vishuddha (throat) chakra. This chakra, or energy center, is one of three spiritual chakras in the body and is associated with understanding, faith and communication: more specifically, higher communication. By stimulating the vishuddha chakra, the yogi opens him/herself to authentic expression and the highest truth.
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