CHENNAI: STEPS: From the final posture of Sarvangasan (shoulder stand), when both legs are at 90 degrees, place your hands in the small of your back and move your legs forward so that your feet move away from your head (opposite direction of Halasan).
Drop your feet towards the floor keeping your legs stretched, your knees straight and feet flat on the floor from heels to toes. Your mid section remains propped on your hands throughout. Your elbows and forearms are supporting your back like the pillars of a bridge. Your point of contact on the floor will be the back of your head, neck, shoulders and feet. Keep pushing your chest towards the chin to minimize the pressure on the wrists as the weight of the back is borne by the wrists in this pose.
BENEFITS: The spine gets a nice stretch and this removes the stress caused to the neck by Sarvangasan. A healthy spine means a healthy nervous system.
(Anshu Vyas Seetharaman is a yoga and fitness trainer at Sri Aurobindo Society, Bengaluru)