1. Lie on floor with legs together and hands by your side, palms down. Inhale, push down on your hands, and raise legs to a right angle.
2. Lift hips off the floor. Bring legs over and beyond head at an angle of about 45 degrees.
3. Exhale. Bend arms and support back, holding as near the shoulders as possible. Thumbs are at the side of body; fingers are pointing up the back.
4. Straighten spine and bring legs to a vertical position. Try to bring elbows close together and work your hands further toward shoulders. Feet are relaxed. Breathe deeply and hold the posture.
5. To come down, lower legs to an angle of 45 degrees over head. Place palms down and slowly lower legs. Keep the knees straight.
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Benefits:
The Shoulderstand stretches the neck and upper spine. It stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid glands. The pose encourages deep abdominal breathing.