Whittington Park provided a natural background for Karen Watson Reeves as she demonstrates Shoulder Stand Pose. Photography – Fred Padilla
By Karen Watson Reeves
Being a mom and a grandmom to nothing but boys who love sports, I have spent many hours sitting on hard bleachers at baseball fields across the country. But I can “safe”ly say that I have never done the inversion Shoulder Stand Pose from the bleachers.
Maybe I should, though, because one of the benefits of this pose is to help relax the mind. I can get pretty involved in any game that my boys are participating in! Shoulder Stand, like any posture where the head is moving toward the chest, cultivates an inward-focused energy, and helps soothe a racing mind.
Bringing the heart above the head in this pose gets more blood, and thus more oxygen, flowing to the brain. The result is feeling more energetic and alert. Having the heels above the heart calms the parasympathetic nervous system, helping one feel more relaxed.
One study found that practicing this pose regularly brings a decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms. This legs-up position also relieves swollen legs. Gravity works to pull excess fluids out of the legs, ankles, and feet, and the muscles in the upper legs relax.
There are other benefits, also! Shoulder Stand requires quite a bit of core and upper body strength to lift into and to hold, because holding this pose for several minutes brings about the most benefits. Range of motion and flexibility in the neck and shoulders increases and leg and back muscles are strengthened as the entire body is engaged during the posture.
The lymphatic system is enhanced, as the reverse of gravity can allow lymph to move towards other organs. The inversion can stimulate the flow of lymph in a different way, helping to maintain fluid balance in our bodies. The thyroid, prostate glands, and abdominal organs, are stimulated, digestion is improved and these are just a few more of the benefits of Shoulder Stand Pose.
If you have spent as much time bleacher-sitting as I have, you know that the bum can become numb. The next time it happens to you, lift your seat up off that seat! It won’t change the umpire’s call, but it will leave you refreshed, less fatigued, and you will feel strong and flexible as you hear “Batter up,” and it’s your boy or girl at the plate. Bring your legs down carefully out of the pose, get up on your feet and send out those positive cheers of support to the team!
Karen Watson Reeves has called Hot Springs home since 2006. She became a registered yoga teacher and a registered children’s yoga teacher in 2011. She has taught children and family yoga in many settings and would welcome an opportunity to help your family stay physically active during this time of quarantine. She owns The Yoga Place, is on the Hot Springs YMCA teaching staff, is an adjunct instructor at National Park College, as well as teaching in several other fabulous venues. www.TheYogaPlaceHS.com.
