Iyengar Yoga Backbends – Advanced

This 17-class advanced course deepens your Iyengar Yoga backbend practice with detailed tutorials, advanced techniques, and strategic prop use.

Classes Available

Advanced

Backbends For Shoulders & Upper Back – Weekly Advanced Class 130

60 Min

Focus

This class approaches urdhva dhanurasana from the perspective of experienced practitioners with an ongoing, regular backbend practice. Some variations are included that will give you improved access to your shoulders and upper back whilst in the pose. Gaining mobility in...

Key Poses

Urdhva dhanurasana.

Equipment

Mat, 2 chairs, 2 bolsters, 2 blankets, 2 blocks.
Advanced

Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana – Weekly Advanced Class 143

60 Min

Focus

This weeks advanced class features the backbend dwi pada viparita dandasana. It explores one way of approaching the pose via a series of methodically linked chair backbends. Key aspects of the pose are gradually introduced in clearly defined stages. The...

Key Poses

Dwi pada viparita dandasana.

Equipment

Mat, bolster, chair, 2 blankets, 2 blocks.
Advanced

Towards Vrschikasana – Weekly Advanced Class 155

60 Min

Focus

Work your upper back and shoulders in this weeks advanced class on Yoga Selection. The class will extend on some of the ideas from this weeks “Thoracic Spine” intermediate class and gives experienced students the option of taking things further....

Key Poses

Supta virasana, paryankasana, viparita dandasana, vrschikasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, 2 blocks, belt, 2 blankets.
Advanced

Backbends With Inversions – Weekly Advanced Class 168

60 Min

Focus

This class features a classic sequence of backbends balanced with inversions. It forms a complete yoga practice. The class is well suited to yoga at home. None of the poses rely on specialist yoga equipment. Each pose is approached from...

Key Poses

Urdhva mukha svanasana, ustrasana, urdhva dhanurasana, dwi pada viparita dandasana.

Equipment

Mat, blanket, 2 blocks.
Advanced

Chair Backbends – Weekly Advanced Class 176

60 Min

Focus

This class features a sequence of chair backbends. The chair is used as a support for a number of poses such as ustrasana, urdhva mukha svanasana, dwi pada viparita dandasana and urdhva dhanurasana. In addition to helping with energy preservation...

Key Poses

Ustrasana, urdhva mukha svanasana, urdhva dhanurasana, dwi pada viparita dandasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2 blocks, belt.
Advanced

Supported Backbends – Weekly Advanced Class 183

50 Min

Focus

Supported backbends. This short sequence lets you ease directly into a backbend practice without needing to first transition through a variety of preparatory poses. It will open your shoulders and thoracic spine whilst heading in the direction of urdhva dhanurasana. ...

Key Poses

Urdhva dhanurasana, viparita dandasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blocks, 2 blankets.
Advanced

Urdhva Dhanurasana – Weekly Advanced Class 187

35 Min

Focus

Improving shoulder mobility in urdhva dhanurasana. For urdhva dhanurasana to be a balanced pose it needs simultaneous mobility from multiple regions of the body. The ability to spread the workload of the pose among the legs, lower back, upper back,...

Key Poses

Urdhva dhanurasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, bolster, blanket, 2 blocks.
Advanced

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana – Weekly Advanced Class 199

35 Min

Focus

Urdhva mukha svanasana (upward facing dog pose) is a great pose for lifting energy and preparing your body for a session of backbends. It is commonly practiced in conjunction with other backbending asanas. It can however be helpful to sometimes...

Key Poses

Urdhva mukha svanasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2 blocks.
Advanced

Backbends Using a Chair – Weekly Advanced Class 213

40 Min

Focus

Backbends using a chair. This class explores the fundamentals of chair backbends. In addition to consolidating the basics this class focuses on exploring ways of using a chair to improve your dwi pada viparita dandasana. This particular pose is broken...

Key Poses

Dwi pada viparita dandasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2 blocks, belt. 
Advanced

Chair Backbends & Shoulders – Weekly Advanced Class 221

65 Min

Focus

This class features some chair backbends with variations that will help to unlock your upper back and shoulders. The class begins with some shoulder opening variations of standing poses that will help to prepare you for a session of chair...

Key Poses

Pincha mayurasana, trikonasana, dwi pada viparita dandasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, 2 blankets, 2 blocks.
Advanced

Vrschikasana – Weekly Advanced Class 230

25 Min

Focus

Vrschikasana (scorpion pose). This class highlights the similarities and differences between forearm balance (pincha mayurasana) and scorpion pose. It offers a step-by-step progression for linking one pose to the other. Vrschikasana is an advanced asana that combines aspects of both...

Key Poses

Vrschikasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, block.
Advanced

Chair Backbends – Weekly Advanced Class 231

60 Min

Focus

Chair backbends. This class will methodically guide you from chair backbend foundations through to more advanced variations suited to experienced students. In particular we will be consolidating dwi pada viparita dandasana. The class will highlight common prop usage and essential...

Key Poses

Viparita dandasana, dwi pada viparita dandasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2 blocks, belt.
Advanced

Express Chair Backbends – Weekly Advanced Class 247

40 Min

Focus

Express backbends. This class lets you condense a comprehensive selection of backbends into a short time window. A yoga chair is the only yoga prop used in this easy to practice class. In addition to building momentum with your overall...

Key Poses

Urdhva dhanurasana, dwi pada viparita dandasana and vrschikasana. 

Equipment

Mat, chair, blankets.
Advanced

Chair Backbend Variations – Weekly Advanced Class 260

50 Min

Focus

A yoga chair can have multiple applications when practicing poses from the backbend asana group. This class uses a chair to help you explore backbends such as vrschikasana, urdhva dhanurasana and dwi pada viparita dandasana. It demonstrates how a chair...

Key Poses

Urdhva mukha svanasana, dwi pada viparita dandasana, urdhva dhanurasana, vrschikasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, blanket.
Advanced

Chair Backbend Variations – Weekly Advanced Class 285

55 Min

Focus

This energising class features a sequence of chair backbends. It uses a yoga chair as a support for a number of backbending asanas such as  urdhva mukha svanasana, dwi pada viparita dandasana and urdhva dhanurasana. The class guides you methodically...

Key Poses

Urdvhva mukha svanasana, dwi pada viparita dandasana, urdhva dhanurasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2 blocks.
Advanced

Chair Backbends in 35 Minutes – Weekly Advanced Class 295

35 Min

Focus

Chair Backbends. In just 35 minutes, this class will guide through a comprehensive selection of poses that focus on creating openness and space in your upper back and shoulders. Whether you’re consolidating the basics or an experienced practitioner, this class...

Key Poses

Viparita dandasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, bolster, 2 blankets, 2blocks.
Advanced

Backbends For The Upper Back – Weekly Advanced Class 321

40 Min

Focus

This class features backbends that open the upper back, shoulders, and neck. The class begins with a series of thoracic opening standing poses, utilising a doweling rod to enhance upper back opening. For those without a rod, a yoga belt can...

Key Poses

Salabhasana, urdhva mukha svanasana, viparita dandasana.

Equipment

Mat, chair, 2 blankets, 2 blocks, dowelling.

Course Overview

Description

Take your practice to the next level with this advanced 17-class backbend course, meticulously designed to challenge and deepen your skills. This comprehensive series delves into complex backbends, offering detailed tutorials and advanced techniques that build upon your foundational knowledge. Each class incorporates strategic use of props to enhance alignment and deepen your practice, focusing on poses such as Urdhva Dhanurasana, Viparita Dandasana, and Vrschikasana. You’ll explore dynamic sequences that improve shoulder and upper back mobility, build strength, and increase flexibility. Whether you’re aiming to explore advanced poses or refine your backbending technique, this course provides the guidance and support needed to progress confidently. Perfect for dedicated practitioners looking to advance their backbend practice and achieve a new level of mastery and vitality.

Who is this course for?

  • Experienced Iyengar Yoga practitioners seeking to deepen their backbend practice.
  • Individuals looking to master advanced backbends with detailed guidance and support.
  • Yoga students wanting to refine their technique and improve alignment using props.
  • Dedicated practitioners aiming to enhance flexibility, strength, and overall vitality through advanced backbend asanas.

How will this course help?

  • Become proficient in advanced backbends with step-by-step tutorials and detailed instructions.
  • Improve shoulder and upper back mobility, enhancing overall flexibility and strength.
  • Refine your technique and alignment using strategic prop use and advanced techniques.
  • Increase your energy levels and achieve a deeper understanding of complex backbend asanas.

What do I get from this course?

  • Access to 17 detailed classes focusing on complex and advanced backbend asanas.
  • Comprehensive tutorials on advanced poses such as Urdhva Dhanurasana, Viparita Dandasana, and Vrschikasana.
  • Techniques and guidance for using props to improve alignment and deepen your practice.
  • Dynamic sequences designed to enhance strength, flexibility, and overall vitality.

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