Join Paul for a backbending class on Monday nights at 6:00 pm
Backbends often carry a reputation for being dramatic, demanding postures. But in Iyengar Yoga, they’re not about bending as much as expanding — finding steadiness and courage inside movement that feels both grounding and freeing.
Why We Practice Backbends
Daily life draws us forward — toward screens, responsibilities, and the next thing on our list. Backbending reverses that pull. It invites:
Lift through the spine
Space across the chest and diaphragm
Vibrancy in the breath
A renewed sense of energy and confidence
In Iyengar Yoga, we approach these poses with thoughtful preparation and support. We don’t chase flexibility. We build intelligence in the body — so the spine can rise and the chest can open progressively.
“Backbends are not about how far you go. They’re about how clearly you can see from where you are.”
Strength and Mobility Working Together
Backbending in our method begins from the ground up.
Legs root firmly, giving the spine freedom to lift.
Props like bolsters, chairs, and blocks become teachers — helping you discover alignment, not shortcuts.
The result is a sense of upward spaciousness, rather than compression or collapse.
Through precision and pacing, strength and mobility begin to work in partnership — revealing the beauty of balance over effort.
The Inner Work of Backbending
As the front body opens, something inside shifts. Students often describe backbends as energizing yet centering — an experience that builds courage, steadiness, and a quiet brightness of mind.
This is how backbends move beyond the physical. They become a study in trust — a reminder that openness can exist without strain, and that expansion grows naturally from a stable foundation.
Practice at Home
A simple place to begin:
Supported Bridge Pose (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana)
Place a block under the sacrum
Keep the sternum lifting
Stay for 1–3 minutes, breathing evenly
Discover Backbends with Guidance
At Iyengar Yoga Source, we teach backbending as an exploration of strength, space, and awareness. Our method offers the support and precision you need to build your practice skillfully over time — no matter your level of experience.
Join us to explore how the right alignment and thoughtful sequencing can help you feel lighter, steadier, and more awake from the inside out.