Sometimes we get carried away with backbends. They tend to be fun and energetic poses, but we also need to remember that it is still wintertime and we are slowly coming out of our caves of hibernation and what we often need is a restorative yoga practice. Most of us need this form of yoga practice much more often than we like to admit. We can become wrapped up in the physicality of yoga poses and how yoga can make us stronger and more flexible and more virile. But yoga also restores us to balance and helps us relax and truly rest our western overactive minds and bodies.
BKS Iyengar would be the one to credit with the teachings of restorative yoga, but one of his students, Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D is one who has taken this art and science and made it accessible to all of us. She has several great books, including Relax and Renew, Restful Yoga for Stressful Times. This book offers practices for learning how to rest. She offers a Simple Supported Backbend on her website. This is one of the poses in her book Relax and Renew so it gives you an idea of the style of the book. This is a wonderful practice at the end of your day or at the end of the week. It is a mini retreat for your body and soul.