Before revision: In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, as in most classical texts on haṭha yoga, Viparita Karani is listed as a mudra,Hatha Yoga Pradipika III.7 meaning its purpose is for the directing of energy or kundalini upwards within the body, using gravity's action on the inverted body,Hatha Yoga Pradipika III.5 as opposed to asanas which are used in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika to create steadiness.Hatha Yoga Pradipika I.19 In one popular expression of Viparita Karani as an asana in modern postural yoga, it resembles Salamba Sarvāngāsana (supported shoulder stand) but with extension in the thoracic spine (rather than the cervical spine, elbows on the floor and hands supporting hips or lower back.
After revision: In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, as in most classical texts on haṭha yoga, Viparita Karani is listed as a mudra,Hatha Yoga Pradipika III.7 meaning its purpose is for the directing of energy upwards within the body, using gravity's action on the inverted body,Hatha Yoga Pradipika III.5 as opposed to asanas which are used in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika to create steadiness.Hatha Yoga Pradipika I.19 In one popular expression of Viparita Karani as an asana in modern postural yoga, it resembles Salamba Sarvāngāsana (supported shoulder stand) but with extension in the thoracic spine (rather than the cervical spine, elbows on the floor and hands supporting hips or lower back.