WHY BACKBENDS?
Backbends are like the superheroes of yoga poses! They stretch and strengthen our bodies while delivering some seriously uplifting benefits to our breath, emotional wellbeing, and overall physical vitality.
Breath Expansion
One of the first things you’ll notice in a backbend is how much your breath opens up. When you stretch your chest and open the front of your body, your lungs have more room to expand. This deepens your breathing, helps your lungs fill up with fresh oxygen, and clears out stale energy. With every inhale, you’re literally making space for new life force energy (prana), helping you feel more alert, present, and alive.
Mental & Emotional
Uplift Ever notice how our posture mirrors our mood? Backbends can be an instant emotional boost! As heart-opening poses, they encourage you to lift your chest, release tension, and open up to the world—helping to combat slouching, stress, and feelings of being closed off. Psychologically, backbends invite vulnerability, but in a safe and supported way. This can lead to a beautiful emotional release, leaving you feeling light, positive, and more open to joy.
Back Pain Relief
Despite what it might seem, backbends don’t *cause* back pain—they actually relieve it! By stretching the front body and strengthening the muscles that support your spine, they improve posture and help counterbalance all the slouching we do while sitting. Plus, the movement builds flexibility in your spine, which can help reduce tension in your lower back and shoulders. Just be sure to approach them mindfully!
Opening the Heart and Throat Chakras Backbends
Work wonders for your heart (Anahata) and throat (Vishuddha) chakras. Heart-opening poses like Ustrasana (Camel) or Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel) stimulate the Anahata chakra, helping to release stored emotions, boost compassion, and enhance your capacity to give and receive love. The throat chakra is all about communication and self-expression, and backbends give it a gentle nudge, encouraging us to speak our truth with more confidence and authenticity.
Physical Strength & Flexibility Gains Backbends
Are a full-body workout. From your legs rooting into the ground to your spine arching and your arms reaching skyward, these poses engage everything. They build core strength, improve mobility, and increase flexibility in the spine and hips. As your back and core muscles strengthen, your overall posture and balance improve, too. That means you’re not only getting a stretch—you’re also creating stability and control.
OPEN TO ALL LEVELS:
Whether you are a new yogi or seasoned practitioner, this workshop is a must and gives you the skills and confidence to really enjoy regular classes and is a great opportunity to refresh and add new widgets to your yogic toolbox.
Expect to breathe, move, sweat, laugh and have lots of ah-hah moments! Go beyond the surface of your practice and access new levels of power with Anne Marie and a group of like minded yogis.
INVESTMENT
Open to all levels! Don’t miss this opportunity – as we are limiting numbers to ensure close attention, guidance and support. Spots will fill up fast.