Tag: backbends
-
Practice: Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
Setu = ‘bridge’ or ‘dam’ Bandha = ‘lock’ or ‘bind’ Asana = ‘posture’ or ‘pose’ Backbends are brilliant for counteracting our habits of slouching, collapsing the chest and generally closing ourselves off from the world all day. Having our bodies and hearts open is something which can often be subconsciously a little scary. To open…
-
Practice: Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
Often categorised as one of the ‘baby back bends’ (along side salabhasana, bhujangasana and urdhva mukha Svanasana), Dhanurasana or ‘bow pose’ opens the front of the body while simultaneously strengthening the back. A great shoulder-opener and a powerful way to open the chest, this asana can be taken as strong or as gentle as you…
-
Practice: Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
A deep backbend when taken to its fullest potential; Ustrasana or ‘camel pose’ mimics the hump of a camel’s back. Backbends can tend to be a little daunting at first, because they’re the opposite action of what we’re now so accustomed to doing; rushing forward, hunching our shoulders, closing off and tensing up. Backbends? They…
-
What Makes A Well-Rounded Yoga Practice?
For anyone who hasn’t already seen it, here’s an extra offering for you this week…. Make sure you’re getting the most out of your own yoga practice by covering all the areas I discuss in an article recently published by YogaMoo.com! CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE ONLINE
-
Practice: Eka Pada Raj Kapotasana
Eka = One Pada = foot Raja = King or ‘royal’ Kapota = Pigeon Asana = Pose or ‘seat’ A pretty deep hip-opener; pigeon pose can feel like a great stretch for some, but torture for others…. The hips are usually linked to a place in which we store a lot of emotional tension…
-
Practice: Natarajasana (Dancer Pose)
A little more difficult than balancing poses such as vrksasana (tree pose). Natarajasana cultivates (and requires) lots of concentration and balance – as well as a big opening in the hips and quadriceps! Nataraja is said to be the ‘king of the dancers’, representing Shiva – who’s rhythmic play is thought to have created…
-
Practice: Camatkarasana (Wild Thing)
Camatkarasana or ‘wild thing’ is an expansive, energising and FUN backbend. If you’re planning on practicing Urdhva Dhanurasana (full wheel) then this is a good option to warm up with. Wild thing is also not-so-elegantly named ‘flip the dog’ sometimes…. You may need to open the hips a little before ‘flipping’ in to the pose,…
-
Urdhva Dhanurasana (Full Wheel). How and why….
For some people, Urdhva Dhanurasana or ‘Full Wheel’ is one of ‘those’ poses. You either love it or fear it. Granted, holding your own body weight and being upside down takes getting used to, but once you have the hang of it, this pose opens up the whole front of the body and can leave…