Bhujapeedasana aka “shoulder press pose” is an balancing posture in which you stand on both hands with your legs wrapped around your shoulders and feet crossed in front of you. It is one of the Prana Vashya ™ Primary Series arm balancing postures.
How to get into the position
Standing with your feet waist width apart, bend forward and take your arms inside your legs placing the shoulder inside and locking it against the back of your thighs. Sit on your arms without placing the weight on them and without collapsing the position. Ensure that your elbows are turned out and lift your knees up towards your ears to reduce the weight of your legs on your arms.
Hold this position for five full breaths.
With every inhalation, lift your waist high. With every exhalation, press the palms of your hands against the floor to lift your knees. Do not sit your weight on your arms; lift your knees.
At first, you will fall over when you attempt the full position! In time however, you will build up the necessary strength. Until then, don’t give up (!) and try coming up on your tip toes and work up towards taking all the weight into the palms and lifting your feet off the floor.
Benefits
Bhujapeedasana:
works the muscles along the anterior line of the body and the psoas, wrists, shoulders, and arms;
stimulates the thyroid gland regulating metabolism and balancing the nervous system; improves circulation.
Contraindications
Avoid this posture if you have any shoulder, wrist, elbow, or lower back issues.