backbending.

[Guest guest]

While I am not qualified to instruct you in this

matter, I can offer you my own humble opinion as I

struggled with the back bends for some time having only

recently recovered from a back "injury". <br><br>Try to

get help from a qualified teacher. May I suggest

blasphemously that you even consult an Iyengar teacher on the

matter as Astanga teachers can be a bit lassaiz faire on

the backbending issue.<br><br>For me, I have found

that I try to ease into back bends. Much like the sun

salutations, take it easy on the first one. Try first setting

up and loosening with by grabbing your ankles and

lifting your hips, pelvis and chest. Maybe even clasp

your fists under your back if you can not comfortably

take the ankles.(keep your feet forward and much

consciousness/strength in your feet and legs) For your first backbend

keep your feet and hands fairly far apart (length

wise). first lift up and plant your head on the ground

and place your arms at a 90 degreee angle at the

elbows. Lift and and rock towards your legs then rock to

the front and straighten the arms, now straighten the

arms. Hold 5, 8, 10 breaths. Repeat several times. (at

least 5--more than the three minimum

recommended)--Remember even guruji says it is o.k. to take extra breaths

and even do a few extra back bends. The most

important thing is to stay with your breath, and keep your

feet planted and pointed forward. Once you feel

comfortable and you can do this, try also doing your

backbends against a wall walking your hands up and down the

wall until you can do this on your own. In 6 months to

5 years, you should be doing it on your own no

problem.<br><br>Good luck....Remember this is what worked for me, but

you really do need a guru to teach backbending. Chuck

mentioned in the prior post from the fellow in Angola is a

superb teacher at this as is Tim Miller. But the most

important thing is "you do". <br><br>Good luck and much

love.<br><br>For many back bends are very intense emotionally and

pscychologically. I ve seen people break down crying from the

emotions it stirs up so take it easy and take it

slow.<br><br>In any case if you make it to backbends, do finish

the finishing asanas as many are important counter

poses to the backbends.<br><br>I am in the feet-forward

camp although i have seen many ugly variations here

and in Mysore so who am I to judge?<br><br>spw

[Guest guest]

Thank you Senor, godfreydev and trayam for your

pointers on the backbend. I do keep my feet forward. I

feel a big difference in my lower back. Thanks. And

keep spreading your humble opinions. There are great

for those of us who don't have teachers.<br><br>Yeshe