Why should you use a shoulderstand block?

In most Iyengar-style yoga class Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) is often practiced with the shoulder supported by a prop, keeping your head at a lower level. You might wonder why, and there are lots of good reasons, but the most important is that it can protect the neck from injury.

Pressing into shoulderstand straight from the floor with poor technique or too little core strenght can cause over-flexing of the neck.  Even those who can do it safely can usually do the pose better when they put support under their shoulders. So just about everyone can benefit from the lift, and most people truly need it.
Supporting the shoulders on a prop in Sarvangasana, with the head at a lower level, helps protect the neck simply by reducing the amount that it has to flex to achieve the pose. The prop opens up the angle between the neck and the body. 

A shoulderstand block is also great as extra cushioning if you have sensitive shoulders or vertebras, or you can use it in headstand.

This block filled with compressed foam and has a cotton cover.

Dimensions: 60 x 40 x 5 cm