As far as yoga poses go, backbends tend to be a more intimidating family of asana (yoga postures), especially for newer practitioners. This tutorial is designed to help students get super comfortable with one of yoga’s more entry level backbends, Ustrasana, aka, Camel pose. In particular, this posture promotes healing and is helpful for developing strength and flexibility in the spine. The great thing about this pose is you can start with simpler variations and over time, work your way up to a deeper expression.
If you’re still a little nervous about backbends, there are plenty of reasons to consider including them in your practice. As the muscles around your spine lift and create space around the vertebrae, the front body lengthens, the legs engage, the pelvic floor firms, and the shoulders and chest open. On a more internal level, the digestive system is cleansed and the cardio-vascular system is stimulated.