Niralamba Sarvangasana

Niralamba Sarvangasana

January 2001

By B K S iyengar

NIRALAMBA SARVANGASANA
Niralamba sarvangasana is a variation of salamba sarvangasana, but a more difficult asana as the arms are not used for support.

 ‘Alamba’ means a prop, a support while ‘nir‘ means without, free from, away from. So, ‘niralamba‘ means without support. In this, the body weight and balance are maintained by the muscles of the neck, back and abdomen, which are thus strengthened.

Technique
• Do salamba sarvangasana.
• Release the hands; bring them over the head, the extended arms resting on the floor towards the head and balance.
• This pose can be held from 30 to 60 seconds.

Special Tips
Those who find the weight on the neck unbearable can use the wall as support. Lie flat on the floor with the head towards the wall. Use a bolster for the shoulders to create height in the back and to extend the neck muscles. Then lift the back off the floor and rest the insteps of the feet along with your toes on the wall, tips of the toes pointing towards the ceiling.

Effects
This asana has the stimulating power of tonics. The entire body is toned with increased blood flow. Toxin-forming waste matter is easily eliminated.