Intermediate Backbend Yoga Practice for Anxiety

Backbends, especially deep backbends require so much effort, not only from our legs, hips, spine, shoulders, etc. But also from the steadiness of our minds and the consistent focus of our breath. Continuous deep focused breathing has a direct effect on our sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The practice of yoga is often referred to as a “breathing practice”, because of the power that the breath holds. Without the breath there is no yoga. The breath has the power to shift us between our nervous systems and to reset our bodies and minds so that we can harmoniously reconnect with universal flow. I found myself out of step last week, with too much time spent on social media, watching the aftereffects of roe v wade being overturned. I was at my limit, and I knew… as I say at the end of this practice… that yoga is more powerful than any pill, more powerful than any drink, more powerful than any conversation. There’s a real power in connecting to your breath, connecting to your body, and moving your body in a way that you can release anxiety, and come to a place of balance and inner peace. When we find something upsetting, we always have a choice on how we respond to it. And our breath is always there waiting for us to dive in. This is my first time recording a yoga practice for sharing online. I set up 3 cameras and 2 failed halfway through. I ordered a wireless mic but it’s still in transit. (Apologies for the sound quality!) Please bear with me as I navigate this new (to me) world of online teaching. This class is a slow build-up to 6 Urdhva Danurasana’s (wheel pose) as a way of cracking open the heart when she is feeling like she just wants to close down. This is a 40 minute intermediate level backbend practice, (extra music at the end) it's not meant for beginners, but could be meant for you if you already have an established yoga practice, and maybe you’ve been in your feelings a bit and need a reset or release. Love to hear your feedback in the comments. Much love, Sonja The Practice: Childs pose Table top Cat/cow Downward Facing Dog half lifts Mountain pose/ Samasthitih Surya Namaskara A x 3 Three legged Down Dog knee bent (both sides) Surya Namaskara B x 3 Childs pose Right leg high – optional Wild thing Right foot fwd – Lizard pose – optional thigh stretch Flow (dd, chat, up dog, dd) Left leg high – optional Wild thing Left foot fwd – Lizard pose – optional thigh stretch Flow (dd, chat, up dog, dd) Mountain Flow Right leg high – Wild thing Right foot fwd – lizard- thigh stretch on elbows instead of hands Flow Mountain Flow Left leg high – Wild thing Left foot fwd – lizard – thigh stretch on elbows instead of hands Flow Childs pose Hero Down Dog Mountain Flow Right leg high – Wild thing – pigeon pigeon – thigh stretch Left leg high – Wild thing – pigeon pigeon – thigh stretch Mountain Flow Rest on belly Sphynx Locust Bow table Down dog Bridge Wheel – Urdhva Dhanurasana x 3 Wheel – Urdhva Dhanurasana x 3 (two sets of 3) Down dog Flow Childs pose Savasana #yogacommunity #yogafamily #yogaforeverybody #yogaislife #yogaheals #yogaforhealth #yogaisforeverybody #yogabenefits #yogaforhealing #yogabodyfitness #movementismedecine #movementlifestyle #movementmeditation #movedaily #breathwork #breathingexercises #breathedeep #breatheinlove #meditationpractice #breathworks #panicattack #stressrelief #stressreduction #anxietyhelp #depressionhelp #panicattackhelp #depressionrelief #adhdsupport #relievestress #adhdsolutions