Yoga Pose Video Tutorial for Shoulderstand Pose
Salamba Sarvangasana
When practiced without support, Shoulderstand can injure the cervical spine. Many yoga practitioners eschew propping thinking that an unsupported shoulder stand is a more “authentic” version of the posture. This is a mistake as, over time excessive load on the delicate structures of the neck can contribute to degenerative disc disease and/or arthritis in the neck. Paired with all of our modern “forward head” tendencies–think staring down at your smartphone, and the fitness fad of repetitive crunches–Shoulderstand can exacerbate the ill effects of tilting the head forward.
Make sure you are working with an experienced yoga teacher, or have been practicing yoga for several years before you attempt this asana.