Backbends may look daunting and challenging to many, however, it is still an important addition to any practice. You may experience emotional and physical difficulty, but it is perfectly normal. Understand what is happening in both the mind and the body when you are practicing can help in preparing and accepting the process of going down. As we are unable to stop ourselves from bending forward unsupported all the times throughout the day (driving, using laptop, playing on phone, cleaning), practicing backbend is great to counteract the forward movements. Here are some of the reasons why you need to start practicing backbends!
IMPROVE POSTURE
Modern people hunch too often – use of laptop, cellphone, watching TV, driving – your shoulders will often be hunched, chest collapsed and the neck protruded forward. Backbends can help counteract the damage of bad posture by creating the opposite actions the ones we do every day. They help to realign your vertebrae while stimulating the sympathetic nervous system. The chest will be opened, the spine will be lengthened, and back will be strengthened and pains and tensions around these areas can be relieved gradually.
OPEN UP THE SHOULDERS AND CHEST
Backbends are great for opening the shoulders and chest. Many of us after sitting for a while, our shoulders begin to slump forward and the posture slowly sags. This causes our breathing shallow and lungs compressed, tensions are building up in the area and making us feel less than optimal. By practicing backbends daily, you will stretch the front of your chest, help you draw the shoulders back and shoulder blades together, subconsciously encourage us to keep our shoulders rolled back.
ALLEVIATE BACK PAIN
Most of the back pains are results of a weak core. However, core muscles do not consist of only the abdominals, it is also made up of the muscles of the lower back. We are engaging the erector spinae muscles and build strength around our spinal cord when practicing backbends. It will help to support the back, avoid injury and relieve pains. Also, backbends are great for alleviating back pains as they will counteract the impact of continuous forward bending, and ease the stress on parts of the spine that are often stuck in the chronic forward position.
IMPROVE BREATHING
When doing backbends, you open up the front of the body, expand the rib cage and the surrounding muscles, open the shoulders and chest, and get rid of the tension that cramps our lungs and makes breathing shallow and uneasy. It increases your capacity for expanding the lungs, allowing for deeper breathing and thus more oxygen flow through the body.
STIMULATE HEART CHAKRA
By going down into the backbends, it activates the sympathetic nervous system, making us feeling tensed and highly alert. Our hearts and front body are completely exposed and it is one of the most vulnerable positions we can be in. However, the vulnerability also offers us a profound way to open ourselves to our emotions and lead to the release of stored emotions. It allows us to open more fully to our emotions, experiences and relationships. Also, the stored emotions like frustration, anger, joy, fear, and love are stimulated to move through our bodies and eventually allowing you to release these emotions.
HEALTHIER BRAIN & HEART
Backbends are the recommended cure for depression and a holistic alternative for heart patients. It helps to release the tension stored in the muscles and allows the body to send off natural pain-killers. Chronic back pain can be improved through practicing backbends.
Something EXCITING coming up!
We will be having Backbend Workshops in August 2018! Come join us if you would like to challenge yourself or simply wanna learn a new pose!
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