The Benefits of Backbends

WRITTEN BY: Jennifer Strout, Founder of MotivateU

Backbends can be intimidating for some beginners. However, once you start incorporating backbends into your practice, they can become some of the most exhilarating and rewarding poses in your routine. Here are some of the benefits of backbends in yoga practice:

1. Improved posture:
A key benefit of backbends is improved posture. When you practice backbends, your spine is extended, and your chest opens up creating space that allows for better breathing. This helps to realign your spine and correct bad posture habits.

2. Relieve back pain:
Backbends also help in relieving back pain by stretching the muscles of the back. When done correctly and gradually, backbends can help to stimulate and strengthen the muscles that support the spine, releasing tension that may have built up.

3. Increased flexibility:
Backbends involve the entire spine and the muscles along it. When you practice backbends regularly, it helps to increase your overall flexibility and mobility in your spine, chest, hamstrings, and hip flexors.

​4. Improved digestion: 
Backbends include poses like camel and cobra which stimulate digestion and help to improve gut health. These poses create space in the abdomen, massaging the organs, and encouraging healthy digestion which can also alleviate bloating, constipation, and other digestive issues.

5. Mental and emotional benefits:
Backbends can also have a profound impact on the mind and emotional wellbeing. The practice of backbends can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by opening up the chest and heart center. This can encourage more self-confidence and can help to alleviate negative thought patterns.

​In conclusion, backbends may seem challenging at first, but they can offer numerous benefits to your yoga practice. They are particularly beneficial in relieving back pain, improving posture, increasing flexibility, improving digestion, and boosting emotional wellbeing. Practice backbends safely by starting slow and listening to your body. Try incorporating these poses into your yoga practice and notice the positive impact they have on your body and mind. Ready to start doing backbends today? Learn more about our backbend challenge. And feel free to comment below if you have any questions for our team.

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