Natarajasana,
Lord of the Dance Pose
BACKBENDS
Job
11:13 If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to
him in prayer!
Backbends will lift your heart to the Lord. These poses
come from leg strength,
so the bottom half of your body must be completely engaged and strong for a
successful backbend. You have to root down in the feet, be strong in
the Lord, then you can lengthen, rise up, and lift your heart towards
the heavens.
Ez
31:7
It
was strong and beautiful, with wide-spreading branches, for its roots
went deep into abundant water.
(NLT)
Like
twists, back bend postures can be incorporated into many asana
(postures) families; such as seated, standing, balancing, prone or
supine poses.The
nervous, digestive, and metabolic systems are all stimulated in backbend postures. They are known to be rejuvenating and invigorating,
for this reason it may not be a good idea to practice them near
bedtime or when wanting to relax.
Back bends stretch the entire
abdominal and release the chest muscles, allowing circulation to flow
freely to the heart and lungs. Mental clarity and focus can be a
result of backbends as cerebral spinal fluids are circulated
throughout the system. Back bends also stimulate the lymphatic
system, pumping lymphatic fluids, by opening the shoulders, chest, armpits and
groin where lymph nodes and glands are located. Backbending causes
pressure on the kidneys and adrenals which not only enhances the
cleansing action, but also releases adrenaline, causing the
invigorating sensation.
The
spine remains pliable while strength is required and developed
throughout the entire body.
Backward
bends are
dynamic postures which move to counter gravity. Generally
speaking, we spend a lot of time on the front of our body, these
postures need to be incorporated for a well balanced practice, as
they
will stretch and strengthen primarily the front of the abdomen, hips,
thighs, shoulders, spine, and chest.
A
lot of stress, tension, or trauma can be trapped in our core center,
back bend postures can help release deep tension, mild depression,
and trapped emotional trauma.
It
is always a good idea to release the worked muscles from backbends
by doing forward fold and/or forward bends. Individuals with
back injuries, who are pregnant or are menstruating should avoid back
bends. Back
bends will not only rejuvenate, but will also leave you with an overall sense of well being.
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A
Meditation for a Back Bend
Is.57:12-15
I will
bring evidence about your righteousness and your actions;
they
won’t help you. When you cry out, let those things you’ve
gathered save you!
The wind will lift them all; one breath will
take them away.
but those taking refuge in me will inherit the
land
and possess my holy mountain.
It
will be said: “Survey, survey; build a road! Remove barriers from
my people’s road!”
The one who is high and lifted up, who
lives forever, whose name is holy, says:
I live on high, in
holiness,
and also with the crushed and the lowly,
reviving the
spirit of the lowly,
reviving the heart of those who have been
crushed...
It is my own doing that their spirit is exhausted—
I
gave them breath!
