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Studio-type Yoga classes

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Yoga classes typically offered in Yoga Studios

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Yoga

May 31, 2014

Backbend Sequence

GPS waypoint: 6°08'15.6"N 125°10'17.6"E
Location: Marichi Yoga House, Gen San City, Philippines Class Date: May 31, 2014

Backbends
When Helen of Marichi Yoga House asked me to teach the Intermediate Yoga class, I thought about doing a backbend-focused session. In Veer's element-approach to teaching, backbend would be my Fire element - everything else would revolve around that, and every asana would be a preparation for the ultimate Urdhva Dhanurasana - the Wheel.

New Sequence
As a general rule, when I have to teach yoga, I develop a new sequence every week - something almost completely different from the weeks before. This takes me about 2 days of research - knowing the corresponding body anatomy involved, different asanas and coordinating what I would call "intelligent sequencing" to weave the myriad of asanas into a seamless flow, and coming up with my cues to ensure the right words come out. This approach creates new yoga challenges for me and prompts me to review the backfiles I recorded with Veer's class, go to the internet for more information, and watch YouTube channels to be better get grounded on how these things are properly done. Altogether, it takes a lot of my time and I get stressed out - but it's all in keepinng with my practice. This blog is also a way for me to document the series of sequencing I will be developing as I pursue my yoga teaching.

Love or Hate
For the most part, backbend is either love it or hate it - understandably. Most of our movements are forward - we sit, we stand up, we walk, etc. So, to reverse this movement could be awkward, uncomfortable and daunting. However, when done correctly, it should feel challenging but quite comfortable.

Backbend Benefits

it can cure you out of depression...or lift your spirit up if you're simply feeling down
it can stimulate the central nervous system making our thinking more clear and more focused
boost your immune system
enhance your digestion
realigns the spine restoring your posture to its optimum
you're only as young as your spine is flexible

Dos and Donts

warm up and stretch the front first - when you do a backbend, you're also doing a stretch on the anterior front of the body. But since the front stretches first before the back, you cannot get to a good backbend without first warming up and stretching the full anterior front (quads, hips, abdomen, chest, shoulders)
engage the Moola Bandha - the bandha engages the Transverse Abdominis (the deep core abdominal muscle) which in turn pushes against the sacrum and pulls the hip points snugly together, distributing the pressure around the pelvic cavity instead of putting the entire load on the lumbar spine - this avoids nerve pinching
inhale while going into a backbend - the air inside our lungs give an added protection to our spine
tailbone out, not in - a tucked-in tailbone is biomechanically incorrect for a backbend

I WARM UP STRETCH

downward dog - a few breaths then slowly walk the hands to the feet into a forward bend
hang - fold the arms into the elbows and just hang there, doing nothing, letting gravity do its work
Samasthitihi - release the arms and on one long inhale, vertebrae by vertebrae, roll up into standing
knee stirring
nauli basic - suctioning the abdominal and release, 3x between breaths
hip stirring
quad stretch

II Heat Movement

Surya Namaskar A - 2x
Surya Namaskar B - 2x
Burpee - jump, snap back into plank, slowly lower to Chaturanga, upward dog, push up, downward dog, jump forward, jump again (5/4/3/2/1x)

III Facedown Backbends

Surya until Downward dog, then

Sphinx - 5 breaths
Cobra - 5 breaths
Upward Dog - 5 breaths
Childs pose -
Locust - 5 breaths
Bow, knees up - 5 breaths
Bow, knees down - stretch thorasic spine (5 breaths)
Cow pose
Vinyasa

IV Faceup Backbends

Wild Thing (Kamatkarasana) - flex on exhale, lift up in inhale / 5 breaths
Bridge - 5 breaths
Fish - 5 breaths
Camel, hands on hips - 5 breaths
Camel, hands on heels, toes tucked - 5 breaths
Camel, hands on heels, toes pointed - 5 breaths
Dandasana - counter poses

V Standing Backbends

standing side bends - extend the arms up, inhale, right hand grabs the left wrist, and exhale bend to the right. Repeat on the other side.
shoulder stretch - with a slight backbend, arms extended up, pull the hands to the back while chest moves forward, stretching the shoulders. Release after 5 breaths.
backbend arms up - with arms extended up, inhale and do a backbend, hands reaching as far back, tailbone out. Release after 5 breaths.
backbend, hands clasped behind back - clasp hands behind, inhale open chest and shoulders, lift heart out, do a backbend, straighten the arm and try to lift arms up.
Dancer's pose - 5 breaths

V Seated Backbends

you can skip everything except the pigeon with backbend as the class will extend over 2 hours

Surya, from Downward Dog, lift left heel, big step with right foot, bent right leg and elbows down on mat, hands clasped - 5 breaths
broaden distance between 2 feet while right foot remains firmly on the mat - 5 breaths
do a split, keeping the hands on both sides against the mat for support - 5 breaths
Pigeon - do a backbend, 5 breaths and then go for the forward bend, 5 breaths
- slide the bent left leg under the right leg, so right knee over left knee. Eagle pose on hands and bow down, 5 breaths. Release.
- clasp hands behind, left elbow pointing up, right elbow pointing down, 5 breaths. Release. Other side.
Matsyandrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes) -
Vinyasa

VI Fire

Bridge - 5 breaths
Wheel - 3x
Dandasana - counter poses

VII Inversion

Handstand on a wall - to find out if they are strong enough for the Hollow Back
Hollow Back on wall - workshop style

VIII Partner Backbend

Downward Dog / Backbend

Standing face to face Backbend

Child's Pose / Backbend

Rising Cobra

IX Savasana

Thanks for attending my backbend class, Helen Prieto, Chic Escal, Rj Casabuena, Fate San Pedro and Tet Tesoro.

--- TheLoneRider

How to Get to Marichi Yoga House

Take a tricycle and ask to be dropped off at Western Union near Iglesia ni Cristo in Purok Malakas. Enter the gate where Western Union is, and go up the 2nd floor. P10 from the main city (or P30 if you wish to have a special trip).

Yoga-Sequence Series