salamba

Salamba is a prefix used in yoga nomenclature to indicate that a pose is performed with external support, such as the floor, a wall, or props like blankets and blocks. It signals a variation intended to provide stability, reduce load on certain joints, or aid in alignment, especially for beginners or during refinement of technique.

Etymology: The term is derived from Sanskrit and is commonly translated as “supported” or “with support.” It identifies poses where the body’s weight is partially borne by props or contact with a surface, rather than entirely by muscular strength alone.

In practice, salamba marks that weight is supported by the arms, shoulders, or other props rather than solely by the neck or spine. It often involves placing parts of the body in contact with the floor or using props to maintain alignment while the practitioner builds strength, balance, and confidence.

Examples include Salamba Sirsasana (supported headstand) and Salamba Sarvangasana (supported shoulderstand). In these poses, the body is inverted with a stable base formed by the arms and shoulders, often aided by props to support the torso and neck. The names distinguish them from their non-supported counterparts, which may be marked simply as Sirsasana or Sarvangasana when no external support is used.

The opposite term is niralamba, meaning “without support,” used to describe poses performed without external aids. The salamba prefix is common across modern yoga, reflecting variations and accessibility within diverse teaching lineages.