Iyengar Yoga Backbends – Intermediate
This 13-class intermediate course builds a solid foundation in backbend asanas, introducing key techniques and progressively advancing your practice.
Classes Available
Intermediate
90 Minute Backbend Foundations – Weekly Intermediate Class 136
90 MinFocus
This week we have released a longer duration intermediate class that features a comprehensive selection of preliminary backbends and complimentary poses. The class will suit a range of experience levels but will be particularly beneficial if you are new to...
Key Poses
Salabhasana, dhanurasana, ustrasana, bhujangasana, urdhva mukha svanasana
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blocks, blanket, belt.
Intermediate
Supported Backbends – Weekly Intermediate Class 196
50 MinFocus
Supported backbends. This sequence is designed to re-energise your backbend practice and help you to get back to including backbends more regularly and confidently in your home practice. It will be ideally suited to times when you feel you are...
Key Poses
Dwi pada viparita dandasana, supported urdhva dhanurasana.
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2 blocks.
Intermediate
Backbends (Urdvha Dhanurasana) – Weekly Intermediate Class 204
45 MinFocus
Here is a class to help if you are someone who struggles to lift up into backbends like urdhva dhanurasana. It is very common for people to experience difficulty with this action. Although it may feel as if this problem...
Key Poses
Urdhva dhanurasana.
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, blanket, 2 blocks, belt.
Intermediate
Baby Backbends – Weekly Intermediate Class 225
45 MinFocus
This class will help to expand your understanding of basic backbend techniques. It features a comprehensive selection of the preliminary “baby” backbends and emphasises fundamental actions and essential techniques. Key backbends such as salabhasa, dhanurasana, ustrasana, bhujangasana and urdhva mukha...
Key Poses
salabhasa, dhanurasana, ustrasana, bhujangasana, urdhva mukha svanasana.
Equipment
Mat, 2 blocks, belt, blanket.
Intermediate
Ustrasana (Camel Pose) – Weekly Intermediate Class 235
30 MinFocus
This week we are revisiting the kneeling backbend ustrasana (camel pose). The class highlights fundamental actions of the classical pose and also explores some supported variations. It contains some chair adaptations that will help to support your neck and improve...
Key Poses
Ustrasana.
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, belt.
Intermediate
Extended Backbends Sequence – Weekly Intermediate Class 247
80 MinFocus
This class features an extended sequence of intermediate backbends. Some inversions and back releasing poses are also included. It will be great for clarifying the fundamentals and reinforcing the basics of the backbend asana group. In addition to highlighting key...
Key Poses
Salabhasa, dhanurasana, ustrasana, urdhva mukha svanasana, sirsasana.Â
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2 blocks, belt.
Intermediate
Troubleshooting Urdhva Dhanurasana – Weekly Intermediate Class 248
50 MinFocus
Troubleshooting urdhva dhanurasana. This class explores different ways of approaching the key backbend urdhva dhanurasana. When learning this pose it is important to experience a variety of different approaches. The benefits of these methods will vary according to the individual...
Key Poses
Urdhva dhanurasana
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2 blocks, belt.
Intermediate
Intermediate Backbends – Weekly Intermediate Class 279
45 MinFocus
Backbends: the basics. This class guides you through some basic preparatory backbends like salabhasana, dhanurasana, urdhva mukha svanasana and ustrasana. It then explores chair backbends from the perspective of someone who is still consolidating the fundamentals of poses like viparita...
Key Poses
Urdhva mukha svanasana, ustrasana, viparita dandasana.
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blocks, 2 blankets.
Intermediate
Salabhasana – Weekly Intermediate Class 285
35 MinFocus
Salabhasana is a great pose for boosting energy and correcting bad posture. This class explores connections between salabhasana and a variety of poses from outside the backbend asana group. Salabhasana’s natural ability to open your chest and pull your shoulders back...
Key Poses
Salabhasana.
Equipment
Mat, bolster, 2 blankets, two blocks, belt.
Intermediate
Energy Boosting Backbends – Weekly Intermediate Class 299
45 MinFocus
This class is designed to boost your energy and enhance your backbend practice. It begins with gentle preparatory backbends like salabhasana and urdhva mukha svanasana to warm up your body. As the session progresses, we delve into chair backbends, specifically...
Key Poses
Salabhasana, urdhva mukha svanasana, viparita dandasana.
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blocks, 2 blankets.
Intermediate
Four Key Backbends – Weekly Intermediate Class 304
40 MinFocus
This class covers a wide array of preliminary backbends and highlights essential actions and techniques. You’ll have the opportunity to practice key backbends like salabhasana, dhanurasana, ustrasana, bhujangasana, and urdhva mukha svanasana, along with various backbend-related standing pose variations. Besides...
Key Poses
Salabhasana, bhujangasana, urdhva mukha svanasana, ustrasana.
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2 blocks, belt.
Intermediate
Three Key Backbends – Weekly Intermediate Class 326
40 MinFocus
This class is designed to enhance your grasp of fundamental backbend techniques. It includes a curated range of introductory backbends, with a strong focus on core actions and essential methods. Central to the class are key backbends like Salabhasana, Bhujangasana,...
Key Poses
Salabhasana, bhujangasana, urdhva mukha svanasana.
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blocks, blanket.
Intermediate
Backbends: Consolidate & Progress – Weekly Intermediate Class 341
60 MinFocus
This energising sequence focuses on intermediate level backbends. Designed to reinforce the basics while deepening your practice, this class offers a sequence of key asanas aimed at building strength, improving posture, and boosting energy levels. From Salabhasana to Urdhva Mukha...
Key Poses
Intermediate level backbends.
Equipment
Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2 blocks.
Course Overview
Description
This course is methodically crafted to help you build a solid foundation in backbend asanas. Whether you are new to this group of poses or looking to consolidate your basics, this 13-class intermediate level series offers a comprehensive selection of preliminary backbends and complementary poses tailored to suit a range of experience levels. Throughout these classes, you will be introduced to key concepts and techniques essential for confidently practicing backbends. Each session is designed to build strength, improve posture, and boost energy levels. You will explore foundational backbends such as Salabhasana, Dhanurasana, Ustrasana, Bhujangasana, and Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, ensuring a well-rounded practice. More advanced backbends, including Urdhva Dhanurasana and Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana, are introduced progressively in a clear, step-by-step manner. The classes also incorporate a selection of relevant standing poses to prepare your body, as well as back-releasing poses to bring you back to neutral at the end. Explore detailed tutorials such as “90 Minute Backbend Foundations,” “Supported Backbends,” “Baby Backbends,” “Ustrasana Tutorial” and much more. This series is designed to empower you to progress confidently in your Iyengar yoga practice. The intermediate section will not only strengthen your skills but also prepare you for the advanced backbends covered in the second part of this comprehensive course.
Who is this course for?
- Practitioners new to backbend asanas looking to build a strong foundational practice.
- Intermediate-level yoga enthusiasts seeking to consolidate and enhance their backbend techniques.
- Iyengar Yoga students wanting to deepen their understanding of key backbend poses and concepts.
- Individuals aiming to improve posture, build strength, and boost energy through a structured backbend practice.
How will this course help?
What do I get from this course?
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