In response to some great comments and discussion we had during our backbends week, I created a bonus video to focus on two topics:
1) The glutes in backbends 🍑: Do they work in all backbends? Or only some of them?
2) Cueing muscles in yoga in general: when is it helpful, and when is it unnecessary?
I hope you enjoy this nuanced look at these topics! 😃
Backbends – Should We Minimize the Lumbar and Emphasize the Thoracic?
3 highlighted questions on this topic:
1) “In all backbending shapes, I often mention …to shift the spine extension more to the thoracic spine, where many people tend to be in flexion in so many of the positions we are in during daily activities (computer, phone, driving, etc.) - helpful? unnecessary? curious to hear your thoughts here.”
2) “General cueing in backbends to focus on finding length and space throughout the spine and particularly in the low back, and to aim to distribute the backbend through the length of the spine, including the thoracic spine, seem worthwhile?”
3) “Often backbends of all sorts are cued to “tuck your tailbone,” or “come into posterior tilt.” This has always felt wrong to me—like, in my body—so honestly, I usually just “do what feels right” in my own body…
My question: Did I just happen upon a handful of instructors who have low back issues and are looking to make sure everyone “protects” their lumbar spines, or is there something else to this (cueing the weird/uncomfortable posterior tilt)?”
Q&A Bonus Video – Week 5
Cueing the Glutes in Backbends
In response to some great comments and discussion we had during our backbends week, I created a bonus video to focus on two topics:
1) The glutes in backbends 🍑: Do they work in all backbends? Or only some of them?
2) Cueing muscles in yoga in general: when is it helpful, and when is it unnecessary?
I hope you enjoy this nuanced look at these topics! 😃
Backbends – Should We Minimize the Lumbar and Emphasize the Thoracic?
3 highlighted questions on this topic:
1) “In all backbending shapes, I often mention …to shift the spine extension more to the thoracic spine, where many people tend to be in flexion in so many of the positions we are in during daily activities (computer, phone, driving, etc.) - helpful? unnecessary? curious to hear your thoughts here.”
2) “General cueing in backbends to focus on finding length and space throughout the spine and particularly in the low back, and to aim to distribute the backbend through the length of the spine, including the thoracic spine, seem worthwhile?”
3) “Often backbends of all sorts are cued to “tuck your tailbone,” or “come into posterior tilt.” This has always felt wrong to me—like, in my body—so honestly, I usually just “do what feels right” in my own body…
My question: Did I just happen upon a handful of instructors who have low back issues and are looking to make sure everyone “protects” their lumbar spines, or is there something else to this (cueing the weird/uncomfortable posterior tilt)?”
Quick Links:
Week 6: April 7-13, 2025
Week 5: March 31-April 6, 2025