This version of salamba sarvangasana, or supported shoulder stand, is accessible to every body. Lying on 2 bolsters with a strap to support your legs in a neutral position, allow yourself to slide the shoulders firmly onto your mat for a wide-open chest without any strain on the neck or effort to hold yourself up in this gentle inversion.
Here are some classes featuring Supported Shoulderstand.
By Brent Laffoon on Jan 20, 2024
Yoga is like medicine. Sometimes you need a strong dose, and other times you just need a little. This medium-intensity practice is for those other times. A good stretch with a bit of core work for good measure... enjoy!
By Brent Laffoon on Jul 23, 2023
A slow, smooth ride through a variety of seated and reclining hip openers and twists. Perfect for when you need a little stretch + reset... enjoy!
By Brent Laffoon on Oct 4, 2022
A playful medley of traditional postures and dynamic movements designed to help you embody a shift in perspective to help you find a new groove... enjoy!
By Brent Laffoon on May 10, 2022
According to the ancient sages, after eating a meal, a yogi should allow at least three hours to digest fully before practicing. It's good advice, but it's not always practical in the modern world. Sometimes the only time you have to practice comes on the heels of the only time you have to eat. This is a practice for those times. As always, take your time, and take what works for you... and leave the rest. And of course, don't forget to enjoy :)
By Brent Laffoon on May 21, 2021
A very gentle, super delicious practice to help you release tension and reset your mind and body. Guaranteed to leave you feeling both peaceful and energized... enjoy! *Beginning students may find a strap helpful...and please listen to your body and take these poses only as far as feels right!
By Brent Laffoon on Feb 23, 2021
Take a few basic poses... feel deeply into them... breathe slowly... and enjoy!
By Leslie Kazadi on Dec 2, 2020
Shoulder-stand has the potential to create a relaxed and resilient mind when you can stay in this pose with enough ease and enough time to truly reap its benefits. If you are not super familiar with how to set it up - well, jump to the 26-minute mark to understand the setup, entry and exit so that you can fully enjoy the pose. Note the modifications that can support you in finding a place of ease if this is new. We spend the first 26 minutes preparing the body and mind to feel focused and supple. From this place, we invite calm into the body and imagine we can share this calm and spaciousness as we move through our lives.
By Leslie Kazadi on Oct 7, 2020
Chair shoulderstands can be really soothing for the nervous system. Getting into them, not so much! Instead of slithering to the ground head first like it's no big deal, we do a lot of prep work right side up. We warm up the body and get centered (read: core work!) first. Then, step by step, we gather ourselves into the chair and gracefully find our way into the support of the chair, the comfort of the wall, and land on blankets to support the shoulders... staying center and grounded so that the pose feels like a soft place to land and a sweet spot to rest. Then you will be gently guided into releasing the pose and resting on solid ground with a new perspective and a quiet mind.
By Kate Duyn on Sep 24, 2019
Remember where you come from people, you are a vessel for DIVINE LIGHT!An intricately woven texture of movement guided by breath to connect you back with your radiant source. Don't be scared, we gonna get a lil' witchy with this one, drawing pentacle shields in space and such for protection. Shapeshift from Eagle into One-legged Crow, and check in with Ashtavakrasana. Keep radiating that divine light lovers.
By Leslie Kazadi on Jun 18, 2018
Shoulder stand is a great pose to invoke deep relaxation - IF you have the flexibility to get into it AND the strength to sustain it for (at least) several minutes. When you do it using the support of a chair, you can stay longer with more ease. It's especially great for tight shoulders and tender necks because your body weight shifts out of the neck/shoulders and into the support of the chair. If this is new, make sure you preview getting in and getting out of the shoulder stand so you know how to move safely to take care of your neck! Over time, this practice will strengthen and open your shoulder girdle and give your more internal support for all inversions.
Leslie Kazadi
