Deep back bending workshop at Sunya Yoga!

Why do we backbend in yoga? To provide nutrients to the spinal discs, to strengthen the back of the leg muscles, buttocks, spinal erectors, and mid back muscles, and to stretch the hip flexors, core muscles and chest, and the shoulders in either flexion or extension.
After the age of twenty five, we need to move the body in order to have a healthy spine. Back bending, forward folding, spinal twists, and inversions all help supply blood to the spinal discs and prevent premature aging and age related degenerative disc conditions.
Backbends assist with concentration. The more intense your practice the easier it is to concentrate.
Backbends are also energizing and uplifting and stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. They can be intense and help us get out of our comfort zone and go into the fire. Tapas is one fo the first requirements for our yoga practice. Remember, your practice is supposed to be challenging. In the fire, things will come to the surface and we are able to cleanse and let go of tension in the body and also tension in the mind. Backbends are very cleansing. They teach us to practice opening up, surrendering and letting go – opening up into discomfort and the unknown, letting go of our ego and our need to control things.
Some key things to remember when you are doing back bending. The hips and the body are in flexion most of the time in our daily lives, sitting in chairs, and sitting while we drive, and even when we go to the toilet. Backbends are good for us because they take the hips and the body into extension. They don’t need to be avoided. Don’t be afraid of your backbends. They can help you find more balance.
In Yoga, we generally want to open areas that are stuck or tight, and strengthen areas that are weak or vulnerable. We don’t want to open what is already open and strengthen what is already strong. If we are not careful, imbalance leads to further imbalance.