The back body often holds onto tension that can affect our overall mobility and posture. Good posture is fundamental not only for yoga practice but for our overall well-being and quality of life. In the modern world, where many of us spend long hours sitting at desks or looking down at devices, poor postural habits can lead to chronic tension, reduced mobility, and even structural changes in the body over time. These patterns often manifest as rounded shoulders, forward head position, and excessive lower back curve, creating a chain reaction of compensations throughout the body. Poor posture affects not just how we look and feel, but also impacts our breathing, digestion, and energy levels. Through mindful yoga practice, particularly working with the posterior chain, we can begin to unwind these patterns and establish healthier postural habits. This improved alignment allows for more efficient movement, reduced strain on the joints, enhanced breathing capacity, and a greater sense of ease in daily activities. The benefits extend beyond the physical – good posture has been linked to improved confidence, mood, and mental clarity.
This advanced session systematically targets this tension through a carefully structured sequence of asymmetrical standing poses, including some twists.
Through foundational standing poses like Uttanasana and Adho Mukha Svanasana, we create length in the back body while maintaining stability and proper alignment. These poses set the groundwork for more challenging asanas that follow. Through variations of Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana, we further stretch our back body while working on our balance.
Ardha Chandrasana and Utthita Trikonasana allow us to work asymmetrically, revealing how back tension manifests differently on each side. Parivritta Trikonasana adds a twist, allowing us to observe the connection between leg alignment and spinal rotation. Through poses like Vrksasana, we explore how stable standing poses can create the conditions for deeper release.
This class is suitable for experienced students who are ready to explore the intricate relationships between standing poses, back body opening, and overall postural alignment.
Video stills from this sequence
