Yoga Anatomy

Salamba Sarvangasana

Supported Shoulder Stand

sah-LOM-bah sar-van-GAHS-anna

salamba = with support (sa = with, alamba = support); sarva = all; anga = limb

The term salamba distinguishes this variation of the shoulder stand from the unsupported

(niralamba) version.

E5267/Kaminoff/fig9.7/417760/alw/pulled-r1

E5267/Kaminoff/fig9.8 /417761/alw/pulled-r3

Trapezius

Triceps

brachii

Splenius capitis

Splenius cervicis

Rhomboids

Posterior

deltoid

Infraspinatus

Levator scapulae

E5267/Kaminoff/fig9.9/417762/alw/pulled-r2

Obliquus

capitis superior

Rectus capitis

posterior minor

Rectus capitis

posterior major

Obliquus capitis

inferior

Interspinales

cervicis

Longissimus

capitis

Splenius

capitis (cut)

Semispinalis

capitis (cut)

Some of the deeper musculature attaching to the base of the

skull that can be eccentrically active in salamba sarvangasana,

halasana (page 199), and variations.

Classification

Symmetrical supine inverted pose