Gaiam Yoga Fundamentals: Backbends

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Gaiam Yoga Fundamentals: Backbends Video

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The hardest part of doing backbends? Overcoming fear. Explore how to evenly engage each vertebrae along the spine to push up into an exhilarating backbend.

The Gaiam Yoga Fundamentals series features unmatched online yoga instruction from world-renowned instructors Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman.

Instructor/Talent/Host: Rodney Yee/Colleen Saidman

Network/Studio: Gaiam

Available worldwide

Tags: Gaiam yoga fundamentals, yoga backbends, yoga for beginners, yoga for hips, yoga workout for beginners

Practices



Introduction to Backbends 5 7:38 No Preview Learn how to open the three key parts of the body necessary for backbends: your shoulders, spine and hip flexors. Recommended Props: Block
Sun Salutation Warm Up 0 5:19 No Preview Warm up your entire body to prepare for backbends.
Triangle Pose/Trikonasana 5 4:41 No Preview Learn how to backbend while in standing poses.
Cobra/Upward Facing Dog 3.5 5:57 No Preview Begin to open the chest and lengthen the spine with two backbends performed on the floor: cobra/bhujangasana and upward facing dog/urdhva mukha svanasana. Recommended Props: Chair, Block (2)
Bridge/Hero Pose 0 10:01 No Preview Open your hip flexors and chest with bridge/setu bandha and reclined hero/supta virasana. Recommended props: Block, Chair, Bolster
Supported Backbends 0 9:40 No Preview Using the floor and a variety of props, experience the proper backbend alignment with the benefit of added support. Recommended Props: Wall, Blanket (optional), Strap, Bolster, Block
Full Backbend 0 8:19 No Preview Learn how to move safely into the deeper backbends ustrasana/camel and upward facing bow/urdhva dhanurasana. Recommended Equipment: Chair
Post-Backbend 0 9:02 No Preview Learn how to neutralize the spine after a backbend with reclined leg stretch and happy baby pose. Recommended Equipment: Wall, Strap
Wall Hang 0 5:58 No Preview Experience the restorative benefits, particularly to your lower back, of forward bend/uttanasana. Recommended Props: Wall, Chair, Block (2)
Supported Child’s Pose 0 8:06 No Preview Rest in three restorative versions of child’s pose/balasana, before resting in corpse pose/savasana. Recommended Equipment: Bolster, Blanket
Seated Crossed-Legs 0 2:50 No Preview Sit comfortably for meditation with seated crossed-legs/sukhasana. Recommended Equipment: Wall, Blanket, Mat