{"id":1228,"date":"2022-06-30T10:05:23","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T04:35:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vinyasayogaashram.com\/blog\/?p=1228"},"modified":"2023-06-18T15:25:37","modified_gmt":"2023-06-18T09:55:37","slug":"back-bend-yoga-asanas-fear-of-falling-into-the-unknown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vinyasayogaashram.com\/blog\/back-bend-yoga-asanas-fear-of-falling-into-the-unknown\/","title":{"rendered":"Back Bend Yoga asanas \u2013 Fear of falling into the unknown"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Have you been struggling to do Chakrasana, Kapotasana, or Ustrasana<\/strong> despite having the strength and flexibility? Is this the fear?<\/p>\n

Why is it so fearful to fall into back bends vs forward bends?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Forward bends are something that we perform quite often in our day-to-day activities and also one can see where they are falling and have the security to land their palms safely versus in backbends which is not so the natural movement of the body and at the same time there is no visibility of where someone is falling and so there is always a fear of falling into the unknown. Most of us have this fraught relationship to backbends where the struggle is not only limited to flexibility and strength but also with our judging minds and grasping egos. These heart-opening postures demand a lot of physical as well as mental strength as it feels like a pandora\u2019s box unleashing confusion, attachment and fear. Backbends are the ultimate opportunity to experience Yoga in its fullest form, as this practice works on body and mind in equal measures<\/p>\n

Emotional resistance of backbends<\/b><\/h2>\n

In the classic Patanjali Yoga<\/strong>, the suffering we experience during backbends is somehow connected to the five Kleshas or mental afflictions which are outlined in Patanjali Yog Sutras<\/strong> as avidya (ignorance), Asmita (identification with the ego), raga (attachment), dvesha (aversion), and abhinivesha (fear, specifically of death). Anyone who is constantly experiencing fear and aversion will feel it in their body, as they experience tightness around their heart and diaphragm. We all know that when we feel strong and confident, our body opens up for new possibilities and when we feel fearful, we go into the fetal position slumping forward and rounding our shoulders as that is the safest position where we feel protected. This is another reason why forward bends are not fearful as we find our safe house there. For one to be emotionally ready, just sit with yourself and observe the thoughts, the feelings, the emotions that arrive when you are even thinking of getting into a backbend. Embrace these kleshas with love and compassion, be more aware of what is going on inside of you without any judgment or criticism and you will see great progress in releasing any emotions that interfere while doing this posture.<\/p>\n

How to prepare yourself for backbends?<\/b><\/h2>\n