07/07/2026
Before You Stand on Your Shoulders, Read This
> Shoulder Stand (Salamba Sarvangasana) is one of the most respected postures in yoga. But every powerful tool needs wisdom.
Over the years, I have spoken with doctors, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and movement specialists in India and Europe. Many of them share that they see yoga practitioners with neck complaints after practicing poses like Shoulder Stand and Plow Pose (Halasana) — especially when these postures are performed before the body is ready, without enough strength, mobility, preparation, or correct alignment.
Deaths connected to Shoulder Stand are extremely rare, but serious complications from neck-loading inversions have been reported in medical literature. Possible risks include cervical spine injuries, nerve irritation, blood vessel problems, and increased pressure in the eyes, especially for people with certain health conditions.
This does not mean Shoulder Stand is a “bad” posture.
It means it deserves respect.
The question is not:
“Can I do this posture?”
The deeper question is:
“Is my body ready for this posture?”
A safe Shoulder Stand is not about forcing the chin into the chest or balancing on the neck.
It is about:
• Correct blanket height under the shoulders to create space for the neck
• Letting the shoulders carry the weight, not the cervical spine
• Maintaining healthy alignment of the spine
• Building strength and mobility before practicing the full pose
• Keeping the head completely still while inverted
• Learning from a teacher who understands both tradition and anatomy
When practiced with awareness, Shoulder Stand has many traditional benefits.
In yoga philosophy, it is called the “Queen of Asanas.”
Traditionally, it is said to:
• Calm the nervous system
• Support meditation and inner awareness
• Improve concentration
• Balance energy (Prana)
• Turn awareness inward..
more in our M3 Yoga Teacher Training Course.
Sources:
British Medical Journal: https://www.bmj.com
PubMed medical research database: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
American Academy of Ophthalmology: https://www.aao.org
