This is an easy sequence that I use as a warmup for a tougher yoga session or on days where I am not practicing just to keep loose. I gave gone quickly through the postures here but plan to spend 8 to 20 breaths in each, so the session could easily last 45 min.
Low back ache is suffered by so many people and as a yoga student it can often make you feel vulnerable or uncomfortable. Depending on the underlying cause of the discomfort these few postures may help you on your way to finding more space and softness.
This is one of my own personal favorites, not easy to get into and out of but you really feel it working to increase the range of motion you have in the upper back (extension) and shoulders (flexion). Great for helping you finding comfort in yoga postures that require those sorts of openings such as Kapotasana, Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Facing Wheel) and Pincha Mayurasana (forearm balance).
Yoga is a state of being in which we experience ourselves as whole and present. To train ourselves in the state of yoga, we include the practice of physical movements for we are physical beings. We experience and express ourselves through a physical body, therefore, every so called spiritual practice must include the body in one way or another to be truly wholesome.
Arm balancing postures and positions such as the Cataranga Dandasana (the push-up) can be very exhilarating. They can energise you by increasing your circulation and they are also good at developing chest, arm and core strength. When done correctly they can really help relieve and prevent back and neck pain and can give direct stimulation to the heart and lungs.
Backbends require the front of the body to be in several key areas. In this video I show you the areas that students often experience restriction and provide some exercises to help facilitate a more comfortable and rewarding backbend journey.
Back bending with ease and grace requires that the Hip flexors (front of the hips), shoulders, and the whole of the front of the body are flexible and strong. Yin yoga is a way of opening the body with passive stretches held for a prolonged period of time. If practiced correctly it is a very sure and safe way to work on increased flexibility.
Do you tuck your tailbone in backbending poses?
It would be hard to imagine yoga without backbends-they’re invigorating, uplifting, and heart-opening. Backbends stimulate the proper functioning of the digestive system, help preserve the health of the vertebrae and spinal disks, and open the body to deep diaphragmatic breathing.