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Backbend
Strike Yoga Pose: Locust
We've talked about some extremely challenging variations of Locust pose such as Inverted Locust where you're balancing on your shoulders and chin, and Locust Scorpion where your feet are touching your head. Now let's take it down a notch and do plain old Locust pose. It's a great way to tone the muscles in the back of your body.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Headstand Bow
If Wheel is one of your favorite poses, here's a variation that takes the weight from your hands to your head. It's similar to Bow pose, but it's upside down.
Sanskrit Name: Sirsa Dhanurasana
English Translation: Headstand Bow Pose
To learn the prep pose to get into this keep reading
Hit the Hay: Cobra
Stretching in bed relaxes your body before going to sleep, and it can also be a great way to gently wake up in the morning. This gentle stretch will lengthen the muscles in your abs, chest, and neck, and it'll also increase flexibility in your spine.
To find out how to do this stretch, hop in bed and read more
Strike a Yoga Pose: 1-Legged Bow
If you like backbending poses in yoga, then you probably love Bow pose. Here's a variation that focuses on bending one leg at a time, which allows you to work on stretching out your chest and shoulders more effectively. It's also a great quad-strengthening pose.
Strike a Pose: Locust Scorpion
If you have been working on your Locust Prep, and full Locust pose, I think you're ready to move on to Locust Scorpion. If you have a flexible back, this pose will be even easier than regular Locust.
Sanskrit Name: Ganda Bherundasana
English Translation: Formidable Face Pose
Also Called: Locust Scorpion
To learn how to do this pose read more
Partner Yoga Pose: Down Dog Scorpion
Backbends top my list of favorite yoga poses. It feels great to arch my spine and stretch through my abs and chest. Some backbends are more challenging than others though, like Scorpion.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Extended Tabletop
If you're looking for a pose that will strengthen your shoulders and core, and increase flexibility in your spine then give Extended Tabletop a try. I like to move into this pose from a variation of Three-Legged Dog with your knee bent (see the photo after the break). This is a pose I've only seen in Vinyasa Yoga classes, so it's a newer pose that will help prepare you for doing Wheel.
Partner Yoga Pose: Grounded Backbend
Backbends are some of my favorite yoga poses. Since our bodies rarely have the opportunity to bend this way, not only is arching the spine a treat but it stretches the front part of your body quite nicely. Not only that, but increasing flexibility in your spine is a great way to stay healthy and avoid lower back pain.
Stretch It: Standing Spinal Arch
Sitting with a rounded spine typing all day and biking hunched over takes a toll on my spine. All that rounding forward can make my back ache. I find that arching backwards, in the opposite direction of all the hunching, feels great.
Couch Time: Scorpion
Since I run a lot, my hip flexors and lower back get really tight, so I love stretches that focus on opening these areas, such as Scorpion. This is actually a yoga pose that's a balancing backbend. It feels amazing on the front of your body and your spine, but it's a really difficult pose to get into, let alone hold long enough to get a good stretch.
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