Poses

Backbend Poses

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  Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

  The torso and legs represent the body of the bow, and the arms the string.

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  Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

  For this pose you can pad your knees and shins with a thickly folded blanket.

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  Bitilasana (Cow Pose)

  Cow Pose is an easy, gentle way to warm up the spine.

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  Matsyasana (Fish Pose)

  It is said that if you perform this pose in water, you will be able to float like a fish.

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  Kapotasana (King Pigeon Pose)

  Invigorates your body and gives your spirits a lift. An extremely deep backbend appropriate for advanced practitioners only.

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  Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance Pose)

  Nataraja is another name for Shiva. His dance symbolizes cosmic energy.

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  Eka Pada Rajakapotasana II (One-Legged King Pigeon Pose II)

  Nowadays we simply shoo pigeons away from our public gathering places. But in Vedic times, 3,000 years ago, the pigeon was a bird of ill omen, the messenger of the goddess Nirriti, a personification of misfortune, misery, and death.

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  Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow or Wheel Pose)

  Strengthens the arms, legs, abdomen, and spine, and gives a boost of energy.

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  Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-Facing Dog)

  Upward-Facing Dog will challenge you to lift and open your chest.

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  Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)

  Calms the brain and rejuvenates tired legs.

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  Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

  This posture promotes flexibility in the spine and encourages the chest to open.

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  Pincha Mayurasana (Feathered Peacock Pose)

  This pose is also commonly called Forearm or Elbow Balance.

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  Ardha Bhekasana (Half Frog Pose)

  This pose is more than a backbend; it opens the shoulders, chest, and thighs all at once.

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  Salabhasana (Locust Pose)

  An effective means for strengthening the back of the torso, legs, and arms in preparation for the deeper backbends.

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  Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (One-Legged King Pigeon Pose)

  Deep backbend that puffs the chest, making a yogi resemble a pigeon.

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  Sphinx Pose

  Sphinx Pose is the infant of backbends. It can be practiced with either an active or passive approach.

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  Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana (Upward Facing Two-Foot Staff Pose )

  Can you practice Wheel with straight arms and Headstand without strain? Then, you're ready.

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  Camatkarasana (Wild Thing)

  One poetic translation of this pose means "the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart."