The next time when you come home tired out � whether it is from a day at the office, or shopping, or standing behind a counter all day � don't take that nap that you usually do. Instead, get up and put yourself in the Shoulderstand. It will invigorate you if you do it for five minutes, more than an hour's rest should do. It has to be tried to be believed. Let us now see what is happening to your body in this inverted position.

First of all, your legs are likely to be very tired, and if you have been standing a lot, the blood becomes congested in the veins of the legs, making them bulge out, perhaps causing varicose veins. While you are in the Shoulderstand, the legs are completely inverted with the blood draining away from those overworked veins, which get a chance to return to normal size, regain elasticity and just generally rejuvenate. The legs and particularly the feet will feel refreshed after the complete rest you are giving them. Remember to keep the legs and feet completely relaxed while in the posture.

Let us go further into the body mechanism by considering the abdominal organs. There has been a downward pressure on the bladder and liver all day. By inverting your posture, you are giving these organs a chance to relax from the downward pull of gravity. They will feel more comfortable and at ease, being put into their proper place. They will have a better circulation of blood, thus rejuvenating them, and women who have ovarian or uterine disturbances particularly will notice the benefits of relaxing the inner organs. The heart too, comes in for a tune-up, a rest, and a completely new circulation of blood coming down from the legs. Stagnant blood is flushed from the heart, giving it a chance to revitalize itself to better carry the load of circulation once the brief asana is over.

Last but not least, the most important job of this asana is to concentrate a fresh supply of blood at the Thyroid and Parathyroid glands in the neck. The Thyroid is one of the master glands of the body. It helps to regulate functions such as growth and repair, waste processes, mental development and attainment of sexual maturity. The Thyroid is one of the most powerful agencies set up by nature to protect the body against poisons. Whenever the Thyroid becomes so enlarged that it causes a visible fullness in the neck, it is called a Goitre. There are several types of Goitre, depending on different causes, and having a differing significance for our health. The Goitre should be medically examined to determine its cause, and to decide if treatment is needed; but prevention is better than cure. So, with the help of Sarvangasan (the Shoulderstand) and a proper diet, the Thyroid can be kept in a healthy condition. One kind of simple Goitre is due to an iodine deficiency in the intake of food and drink. This can be easily remedied by adjusting the diet.

According to medical authorities, the most damaging type of Goitre is the relatively small gland with the rapidly developing evidence of toxicity. This disorder has been called exophthalmic because of its frequent association with bulging eyeballs. Experiments have proved that administration of large doses of Thyroid can produce Thyrotoxicosis in healthy persons. The toxic form of Thyroid disorder is most common in persons between the ages of fifteen and forty, and is frequently associated with a nervous and emotional disposition. Often there is a correlation between a Thyroid disease and an unstable nervous system.

The Parathyroid glands lie on the posterior surface and are within the capsule of the Thyroid. Their secretion regulates the calcium and phosphorus metabolisms, and helps to control the concentration of calcium and inorganic phosphate.

So you see, how, in doing the Shoulderstand, you are helping nature to restore, regulate, and keep the internal secretions of these glands to their normalcy. The position of the neck while in the Shoulderstand guarantees a rich fresh supply of blood to these glands, regulating them and at the same time stimulating them to their greatest capacity. There are many variations of the Shoulderstand to increase the circulation and stretch various ligaments and muscles. Sarvanga means all parts; so, the very name suggests that this pose is concerned with all parts of the body. Let us now look into the execution of the position.

Spread a thick blanket on the floor. Lie flat on the back. Slowly raise the legs. Lift the trunk, hips, and legs to a vertical position. Rest the elbows firmly on the floor and support the back with both hands. Raise the legs till they become vertical. Press the chin against the chest. This is the chin lock. While you perform this asana, the back of the neck, the posterior part of the head, and the shoulders should touch the floor. Breathe slowly and concentrate on the Thyroid gland. Do not allow the body to shake to and fro. Always be sure to keep the legs and feet relaxed. When the asana is over, lower the legs very slowly and smoothly. Avoid jerking. Do this asana very gracefully. In it, the whole weight of the body is thrown on the shoulders. You can do this twice daily, morning and evening.