Judith Hanson Lasater: The Art and Science of Backbends

In this two-part yoga download, Judith addresses one of the most common mistakes both yoga teachers and students make when teaching or doing backbends, and gives some key insights into how to transform backbends by shifting the anatomical focus and creating greater opening. In the second talk, Judith goes more deeply into techniques for facilitating and perfecting specific backbends, including Bhujangasana and Urdhva Dhanurasana, and addresses questions brought up by class participants.  

Backbending yoga poses stretch open our front body, the seat of our identity, which tends to be more vulnerable and which we often close down to protect. By stretching and opening the front body, backbends can radically shift our perception of who we are. By keeping the spine flexible and counteracting the stooped-over posture of aging,  backbending yoga poses also have a great rejuvenating and revitalizing effect on the whole body, and help keep the body young.

For many, however, backbends are also among the most challenging poses. Even more experienced students often feel intimidated when practicing backbends in class or in their home practice. There is even an expression in English that states: “bending over backward” for someone which implies doing something very hard. Also discussed were some common misunderstandings about what keeps the back “safe” in backbends, how to sequence backbends for maximum safety and benefit, as well as the deeper philosophical and spiritual aspects of these poses.   

If you find that your progress in backbends is too slow (or non-existent), or find yourself skipping challenging backbends all together, this two-part yoga download is for you. Similarly, if you are a yoga teacher wondering how to  help students make faster progress in backbends, this class will give you some great new tools in your box. 

Get These Two Special Bonuses! 

Bonus # 1. Judith Hanson Lasater on: Preventing Yoga Injuries

With the growing popularity of yoga, there are also growing reports of people are seeking health care for injuries related to yoga. Whether you are new to yoga, an experienced practitioner or a yoga teacher, this yoga download with Judith Hanson Lasater offers key insights into how to prevent yoga injuries. Topics covered include:

• What are we doing to our wrists, shoulders, hips, and knees that is contributing to injuries?
• What can we do to prevent these injuries?

Bonus #2. Judith Hanson Lasater on: Asanas, Anatomy, and Principles of Sequencing

In this in-depth 50-minute Q&A with Judith Hanson Lasater, Judith answers questions on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from yoga anatomy to the best principles for sequencing asanas. Judith gives specific recommendations on various topics including:

• Suggestions for increasing flexibility in shoulders      
• Recommended poses for tight hip flexors 
• What would be the ideal sequence for a yoga class  
• Poses to help heal torn ligaments and other injuries

"I was a participant in Judith's web seminar on backbending, and I just wanted to express my gratitude for all the great insights provided.  The concepts discussed have completely changed my practice of backbends! Thank you again!"  ~ BP, Florida