29/09/2025
Backbends are more than just bending the spine. As the spine and back body open, the front body awakens, helping move the subconscious into the conscious and opening the emotional centre of the heart — a space many of us keep closed, often because we once needed to protect ourselves. Through yoga, we have the chance to feel more open and connected to our Self.
The ropes in yoga kurunta, part of an Iyengar yoga practice, help to create should openings, and work with gravity in a different way to find the backbend (whilst keeping hips firmly gripped). Another great prop to explore the somatic opening of the physical and emotional body.
In backbends, one touches the body physically, mentally, intellectually, consciously and spiritually everywhere.’ — B.K.S. Iyengar
This photo is from my practice in Crete with
