In exploring back bending, we are invited to take the path less traveled, where surrendering to inner awareness rather than external goals leads to true spiritual growth and transformation, elevating us beyond the illusions of Maya and the cycles of Samsara.
Discover the harmonious interplay between the front and back lines of our body, where back bends and forward folds unite to create balanced strength, flexibility, and postural alignment.
Balancing the pelvis in back bending requires a nuanced understanding of a "neutral" position, where a slight anterior tilt is natural, but care must be taken to avoid excessive tilt that can lead to discomfort, especially when extending into poses like Setu Bandha Sarvangasana.
Supporting a neutral pelvis involves engaging the Rectus Abdominus to lift and stabilize the pelvis, while also addressing the psoas muscle, which plays a crucial role in hip health and lower back comfort, requiring a balance of strength and lengthening, especially through backbending practices.
Ensuring spinal integrity in backbends involves not just proper support surrounding the thoraco-lumbar junction and the sternocleidomastoid muscle, but also cultivating a mindful awareness that prevents harmful compression and preserves the vitality of your inter-vertebral discs for years to come.
Learn how deep core engagement and eccentric lengthening of the sternocleidomastoid in back bends helps you maintain proper head alignment, protect your cervical vertebrae, and enhance overall neck strength and posture in daily life.
Zoom links to join the Shambhavananda Yoga Sangha in Live-Online classes covering sacred texts, meditation and question and answers with Resident Acharyas and Swami’s of the Ashram.
Daily: Practice 10 minutes of personal yoga, create cue cards for this Module’s Postures and meditate for at least 15 minutes using guided or self-guided practices.
Assignment: Record yourself teaching the postures from this module, starting with a 1-minute reflection. Teach for up to 8 minutes, then upload the video to YouTube and post the link in the comments. Follow the provided instructions and tutorial.
