Work’s been pretty crazy these days. Unrelenting is a word that comes to mind. So it’s no huge surprise that I’ve been experiencing some anxiety throughout the day. Backbends are one of the best cures for anxiety, whether acute or chronic.
Yoga works in funny yet simple ways. “Like cures like” similar to the principles of homeopathy. Backbend postures can temporarily make you feel anxious, angry, crazy or a host of other feelings, but the end result is dispelling those feels in the short and long term. A consistent and properly executed yoga practice (full of backbends) can not only relieve anxiety but also increase your body’s resilience, maintain your youth, and eliminate chronic back pain.
Sound too good to be true? It’s not, you’ll have to work hard and endure uncomfortable moments in class, but what awaits you on the other side of those postures is worth it.
Relieve anxiety and stress
One of the most notable benefits of backbends is relief of anxiety and stress. As I mentioned earlier, a daily backbend routine can do wonders to eliminate chronic anxiety that racks our bodies and minds. By opening up the front of your body, you release and break through stress. To do so takes mental determination, discipline and dedication.
Approach each backbend with a can-do attitude and tell yourself you will stay in the posture and breathe. Breathing is one of the most important elements to a properly executed backbend. If you’re experiencing chronic anxiety, increase the number of days you practice yoga each week. I’ve found that a more consistent practice keeps anxiety in check. (You might also like this anti-anxiety essential oil recipe.)
It should be noted that if you have chronic anxiety, stress or depression, you should speak with your primary care physician immediately.
Bring your spine back to its natural flexion
We bend forward all day long, sitting at a desk, driving our car, picking up our kids or pets. I used to think it was supposed to be this way, that backbends weren’t natural. Turns out our spines are meant to be flexible and have a complete range of motion forward and backward. By regularly practicing backbends you will restore your spine to its natural flexibility, reducing your chances of injury. Increase the flexibility in your spine, increase the flexibility in your life!
Relieve chronic back or neck pain
If you suffer from chronic back or neck pain, hatha/Bikram/hot yoga is for you. You’ll be amazed at the healing combination of heat and regular backbends for relieving pain. The best part of the Bikram yoga series is you do backbends throughout the class while also strengthening your spine. The four postures in the spine strengthening series build strength all along your spine while simultaneously increasing flexibility. This winning combination of strength and flexibility will wipe away pain and give you back your body’s natural mobility and vibrance. Work hard in the spine strengthening series every time you take class.
Improve breathing
In order to do a proper backbend (and enjoy it), you must breathe throughout the whole posture. By opening up your chest you will increase the amount of oxygen in your lungs and can slow down your breathing (slowing your heart rate and energizing the body). Decades worth of research has shown that regular and mindful breathing can reduce stress, cortisol levels in your body (stress hormone), help one focus and concentrate throughout the day.
Opens your mind and heart to new possibilities
By releasing and countering some of the tension on the backs of our spines (think shoulders and lower back) we can open up the front of our bodies to new people and experiences. Increasingly, flexibility in the body mirrors itself in our minds.
Gain new perspectives
When you do a backbend, your world literally gets turned upside down. By seeing things from a new perspective, you can allow for new and fresh thoughts come to mind. Believe it or not, I’ve had several great ideas come to mind during or right after a backbend.
Stretch your abdominal muscles & internal organs
The fronts of our bodies, our stomach and internal organs in particular, get very little attention. When you think of stretching, what comes to mind? A forward bend, stretching your hamstrings? If you’re feeling a little groggy at work or tired of sitting in front of a computer, simply stand with your feet shoulder width apart, put your hands on your lower spine, bend back and breathe. You’ll notice a boost of energy and elevated mood!
Gain bravery, strength and trust
Backbends can be scary. I remember struggling, gasping for breath, shaking and barely leaning back in the Bikram Yoga series first backbend. I looked around the room and thought, how on earth are these people bending all the way back… and smiling? By practicing regular backbends you can gain little bits of bravery, strength and trust in yourself.
Little bits add up to a whole lot of courage.
Learn that limits are self imposed
Just as I mentioned above, when I thought “I’ll never do that,” and then actually did a big back bend later on, it taught me that our limits are simply the barriers we put upon ourselves. Sure, we all have different body types, which have some different capabilities, but things I once thought were impossible now come with ease and joy. Practice pays off.
Compress and flush kidneys
The organs on the back side of our body also like to get some attention and love. In the backbends of the spine strengthening series, you compress your kidneys, allowing for a flush of fresh blood and oxygen after you release the posture. This systematic flushing of your organs has been part of the yogic tradition for thousands of years…because it works.
Relieves insomnia and restlessness
If your mind is racing when you lay in bed, get out and do camel pose. Just a minute in this posture will help release the mental chatter and tension in your body. I’ve done this several times and it’s amazing how fast it works. Make sure to breathe while doing the posture and do a few sets if you need to. It’s so simple, and so effective.
The benefits of backbends are endless. As I maneuver and negotiate my way through the next few months of work, I will practice backbends at home and in yoga class.
Now it’s just up to me to work hard and execute the posture with precision and intensity.
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(Photo credit: visualpanic, chantelbeamphotog, Sombilion art, media, via photopin cc)
Your info and advice on backbends has opened my mind and I will continue to pursue my challenges thank u