Backbending = Heart Opening...

This is the last weekend of "Fire Module" (for me the 2nd module out of 4 total) in my Master Teacher Training at Inner Vision Yoga Studio. The weekends focus is Backbending, otherwise known as heart opening. Because backbends are heart openers, if a student is guarded or closed off at the heart center they will not feel comfortable or safe in the various backbending postures. Nor will they be able to receive the benefits of the pose; the physical, emotional or spirtual benefits that the pose provides.

The pose pictured above is Natarajasana or Dancer Pose. Although dancer is a balance posture, it is also considered a backbend because of the level of heart opening that the pose can acheive when practiced correctly.

Here are just a few verbal ques for teaching Dancer Pose:

~You must ground thru whatever is making contact with the earth. For example here-the standing/supporting leg.

~Imagine moving the energy up from the earth all the way to the crown of the head for lengthening.

~Always find "spaciousness" in the heart center.

~Try not to leak energy out of your navel point. Draw the navel point in and keep the tailbone down.

~Keep the shoulder integrated of the arm that is lifted (draw the arm back into the socket).

And reach from a place of softness.

**Once you reach a place of stillness in the posture, pause & hold for 20 seconds, finding the breath and...let go of everything you thought you knew, and be open to the unknown.

Namaste~Andrea

(these teaching tips are from the brilliant mind of Master Teacher Jeff Martens at Inner Vision Yoga Studios in Arizona.)