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When people think of back bending often images of a contortionist with their head resting on their buttocks is what first comes to mind. Bending backward looks like an impossible task, a painful one and not much fun. Even students who have been studying yoga for several years may still feel it is a daunting series of postures. Many also fear back bends and claim they are not fit enough or lack the desired flexibility. It is true that back bends bring up many emotions such as fear and anger. It can feel very scary to bend backward when you cannot see where you are going. However, it is a misconception to believe that it is inaccessbile practice and simply not for you. So why back bending and how can you benefit?
First of all, many of our daily movements are limited to moving forward. We spend a lot of time sitting, standing or lying down. Rarely do we spend time defying gravity by moving upside-down, backward or sideways. It feels more natural to bend forward. Its also the obvious thing to do when picking something off the floor or reaching for the phone. However, back bends offer a new way to move the spine. This creates better balance between our normal activities and breaks-up the rigidity that the spine naturally gravitates toward. In turn, back bends open the hips, strengthen and stretch the legs as well as the lower back muscles. Other benefits include increasing the flow of blood, massaging the vital organs and glands as well as loosening the joints.
Medical studies have shown that many people suffer from chronic back-pain. Nearly everyone has had a sore back at least once. Not only is back pain uncomfortable, but it can lead to other problems. An interesting study conducted in an American university linked the effects of continuous low back pain to decreasing the gray matter of the brain. Yoga Master B.K.S. Iyengar also recommended back bends for curing depression and as a holistic alternative for heart patients and in particular people with ischemia. Back bends boost one's energy, relieve tensions and stress stored in the muscles and help to send off natural pain-killers.
Many people might be surprised to hear that back bending can be more strenuous than running. Iyengar stated that back bends massage and exercise the heart in much the same way that running does. The upper thigh muscles are used to push the pelvis forward while the feet and hamstrings support the lift of the hips, legs and lower back. By moving the spine both forward and backward as well as upside down, the heart is stretched in many directions thereby increasing the flow of blood. Unlike running, however, back bends realign and reenforce the ligaments of the knee, and ankles.
Aside from the tremendous physical benefits, there is a large psychological aspect to back bending. Our minds are challenged through our bodies and our fears are brought forward. Great patience is developed and perseverance is demanded. Back bends teachs us to become more patient with ourselves and to perseverance with the task. Back bends also offer important life skills which are transferrable to other areas of life. The practice takes time, energy, devotion, will, discipline and care. For a good life and a happier one, life also demands a fine-tuning of these skills. And being true to life, back bending is no exception in that there are set-backs and pitfalls. As baffling as it may seem, the goal was never about getting your feet to your buttocks but in making the path the goal. It is a long practice that challenges our conceptions, preconceived notions and ideas.
In the end, the bud or the flower of yoga may appear very differently from one practitioner to the next. The way it appears, however, is often distored by our own subjective view. But nevertheless it does appear as is the promise of Patajalim's Yoga. Of course, Patajalim never promised that it would be easy. Instead, we are guaranteed that with constant practice and sincere effort the path can be taken.
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