Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose
Definition - What does Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose mean?
Legs-up-the-wall pose is a mild, restorative yoga inversion. It can be practiced on its own as an everyday restorative pose, or it can be used at the end of a yoga practice for its calming benefits and as a preparation for the final relaxation of meditation or corpse pose (savasana).
To perform this pose, the yogi lies on his/her back with the buttocks touching or close to the wall and the legs straight up the wall. In the non-supported version, the yogi lies on his/her back, lifts the hips and raises the legs, supporting the hips with the hands. This version of the pose resembles shoulder stand except that all but the lower back remains on the ground.
Legs-up-the-wall pose may also be referred to by its Sanskrit name, viparita karani.
Yogapedia explains Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose
Legs-up-the-wall pose provides a number of benefits for the body and mind. Ancient yoga texts state that this pose will destroy old age and offer anti-aging effects. Modern teachers agree that the pose has many benefits, including relief from:
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Insomnia
- Mild depression
- Arthritis
- Digestive issues
- Swollen feet and legs
- Eye and ear problems
- Respiratory ailments
- Urinary disorders
- PMS and menstrual cramps
- Menopause
- High and low blood pressure
This pose also stretches the back of the legs to relieve cramping and swelling in the ankles, calves and feet.
For an additional support, it is recommended to place a towel under the neck. The lower back can be supported by a pillow or bolster. Also, a yoga strap is used as an extra support for the thighs. Wrapping the strap around the thighs helps keep the legs in place, allowing them to relax more easily.
As with any inversion, this pose should be avoided by people with serious eye problems, such as glaucoma.
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