The Best Backbends for Beginners

Modern life is not great for your back — sitting in chairs tightens the hip flexors, which can lead to a chain reaction that stresses the low back. When we type at a computer, we typically roll the shoulders forward or hunch the upper back. And looking at our phones constantly can lead to the dreaded and painful “tech neck.” — chair sitting, typing, and looking at our phones. Simple backbends are a fantastic antidote. But which backbends are most beneficial for beginners and why? Jason shares his thoughts on this episode. We talk about:

• Prone backbends like Locust Pose, Medium-Sized Cobra, and Sphinx
• Kneeling backbends like Cobra and New School Anjaneyasana
• Reclined backbends like Bridge Pose and Lying over a block

Learn the best approaches and modifications for these poses and practice them using the sequences below.