Doing some more backbends - in Red :P

Backbends. You love them, “dislike” them or just want to get over with them … and justifiably so. If you take a look at our daily patterns, the majority of our movement is forward: we sit, we walk, we lie down, we stand — so doing the opposite can be discouraging and not to mention awkward and uncomfortable.

 

There are so many variations of scorpion pose likeLocust Scorpion and Forearm Stand Scorpion, but Handstand Scorpion is my favorite. It's one of the most challenging poses you can try because it requires the three zingers — balance, strength, and flexibility.  

Back-bending is an unusual position for the spine, and should be approached very gently by people with back problems, pain or injury, with the guidance of a yoga teacher. It is also not recommended to practice Urdhva Danurasana - Bow Pose (pics above) when menstruating, pregnant, very tired, suffering from high or low blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, headache or heart problems. A gentler back-bend, such as Sethu Bandhasana - Bridge Pose, or a supported back bend may be more suitable.

 With a little practice, back bending can be one of the most therapeutic parts of yoga. Quite a few studies show how backbends can stimulate the central nervous system, boost the immune system, helps counteract damage of bad posture by realigning the spine, relieves back pain, bronchial distress, scoliotic deformities, tennis elbow and frozen shoulder, to name a few. Apart from the wonderful physical benefits, there are also psychological and emotional benefits of back bending. They can help shift energy leaving the mind more clear and focused and they can help open the heart chakra and emotional center. B.K.S. Iyengar even recommended back bending to cure depression.

 Having practiced backbends for many years now I understand the images and the idea of it seem pretty far out. However, I also believe that the bud or the flower of yoga appears very differently from one practitioner to the next. In other words, it is not about looking like this picture or forcing your body into a tight position that feels totally uncomfortable. Sometimes we have to work through pains and problems as well as work with our limitations. But a cobra with the feet near or far from the head is never a sign of a trained or untraind mind. If a garden is like the mind then it needs weeding, watering and the soil turned over from time to time.