Backbends in yoga are intended to energize the yogi and activate a deep opening of the front of the ribcage. They also help to counter the effects of hunching shoulders forward while working on a screen or sitting at a desk.

Deep backbends, however, sometimes induce unwelcome sensations, nausea or dizziness, and this may have stopped you from exploring options in these poses. The key to feeling at ease in backbends lies with the safe alignment of foundational joints and specifically the pelvis. Once the alignment principles are applied (with modifications and options), the breath is the most underestimated tool to deepening backbends and we’ll teach you how to apply this.

We start the workshop off by warming up the body efficiently and effectively before exploring some backbending shapes. We’ll work our way up from less intense shapes such as the Low Lunge or Crescent Moon Pose and building through Locust Pose to Camel Pose and Bridge Pose (with loads of modification options).

To end off our afternoon, we’ll give you some tips, props and options to explore the deeper backbends like the Wheel Pose and then treat you to a deep state of rest or Yoga Nidra for deep relaxation.