Salamba Sarvangasana II (Supported Shoulderstand II) registers as 3* on the 60* scale of difficulty. Iyengar describes this pose as “slightly harder than the first one.”
Salamba Sarvangasana II is the second pose in the Sarvangasana cycle, a series of Shoulderstands. Personally, I find Salamba Sarvangasana II much more difficult than Salamba Sarvangasana I. As you’ll see in the next few days, each pose in the Sarvangasana cycle becomes progressively harder. While Iyengar often describes each pose as “slightly harder” than the last, in my book, each pose proves tremendously more challenging than the last.
The proof lies on my body. With each more difficult variation, I’m less capable of keeping my spine long and straight, reaching toward the sky. I begin rounding through my shoulders and my toes start sweeping past my head. You can see this misalignment clearly when you compare Iyengar’s Salamba Sarvangasana II with mine.
In order to gain more stability and poise in this asana, I need to cultivate greater back, neck and arm strength. Thank goodness for a lifetime of practice ahead of me! What a blessing!
Related posts:
- Supported in the Arms of the Mother: Salamba Sarvangasana I (Supported Shoulderstand I)
- Rejoicing in Minute Movements Toward Salamba Sirsasana III (Supported Headstand III)
- Learning Your Strengths in Salamba Sirsasana II (Supported Headstand II)
- Letting Go in Salamba Sirsasana I (Supported Headstand I)
- Examining the Details of Alignment and Fear in Salamba Sirsasana III (Supported Headstand III)
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