Photo: David Martinez for Yoga Journal Posture: Dhanurasana
Winter is settling in for sure. If you’re affected by the change of seasons, daylight savings time, and the cold, add extra backbends to your posture repertoire. We incorporate dhanurasana (bow) into our class sequences because it’s a simple, energizing pose that elevates mood and stimulates the thymus gland, which supports your immune system.
If you need something less intense, bujangasana (cobra) is also an effective backbend. By keeping your legs flat on the floor and only raising up to your sternum, your chest is still greatly expanded. Contrary to what one might think, backbends don’t, or shouldn’t, come from the low spine. Rather, the thoracic spine/heart center has to be trained to support the spine in this position.
Please click on to the full article in Yoga Journal. My favorite backbend is king pigeon!
