Viparita karani vs shoulder stand

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Folks: Can we get the benefits of shoulder stand by doing Viparita karani to a certain extent ?

#2

You mean Viparita karani vs Sarvangasana? If so then:
Viparita Karani is a gentle inversion and can be a substitute for a Shoulder stand during certain times, like restorative yoga class or menstruation.
Goo think about yoga is that no matter how advanced your pose is - you will get the same amount of benefits :slight_smile:

#3

Layman,

Can you not do Sarvangasana for some reason?

#4

I was taught several variations of Savangasana.

  1. Sarvangasana where feet are perpendicular to ceiling and chin is on chest. It is typically not supported.

  2. Viparita Karani is typically taught as a variation and often times called Legs up the Wall Pose. Chin is not on chest and usually you are supported with a blanket. CM correctly stated it is more restorative, but can be used as a modification.

    Very similar benefits. Exception would be in Vipariti Karani you aren’t stimulating the thyroid and it does little to aid in digestion.

There is another variation of Sarvangasana which is called Vipareeta Karani Asana (or sometimes called mudra). Very similar to Sarvangasana but the back is at a 45 degree angle. Legs may be perpendicular to ceiling, but not in line with the torso. The way our teacher described it is “this is the female version of shoulder stand”. Just a tad different, but the benefits are the same. Many students actually fall into this category as they have difficulty getting back and legs perpendicular to the ceiling. There is a picture of it in"Asana, Pranayam, Mudra, Bandha" by Swami Satyandanda Saraswati

#5

Why the “female” version? Just because of the strength required to maintain the full perpendicular version? Or because there are benefits to a female to do the 45 degree position?

#6

I think that it’s due to the way a female is built, with wider hips makes it more difficult to get the legs and back perpendicular. At least that’s the reason given to me. Sexist isn’t it?

#7

[QUOTE=Layman;38419]Folks: Can we get the benefits of shoulder stand by doing Viparita karani to a certain extent ?[/QUOTE]

Hello Layman.

I’m wrestling with the question since you’re using the generalities “we” and “benefit”. However I’ll respond as best I can and if you’d like to refine then we can move in that direction.

The two poses you mention, Viparita Karani and Sarvangasana do not provide identical benefit but there are some similarities.

So “to a certain extent”, yes. Completely, no.

gordon

#8

[QUOTE=lotusgirl;38436]I think that it’s due to the way a female is built, with wider hips makes it more difficult to get the legs and back perpendicular. At least that’s the reason given to me. Sexist isn’t it?[/QUOTE]

Sexist, but somewhat logical. Many things that seem sexist sometimes have a logical basis. Just MHO though. But then, I also enjoy men opening doors for me and carrying my heavy packages. :wink:

I am able to get perpendicular so I just wondered if there was a benefit to adjusting this that I was unaware of. Thanks lotusgirl.