Backbends before Forward Bends?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I have traditionally heard that it is forward bends followed by backbends. Makes sense.

But recently I have been researching Indra Devi’s yoga (see her website). Her practice states-- Sun salutes, followed by backbends, then forward bends, inverted, twist, standing, lotus. Kinda surprising to me.

I figure Indra Devi must know what she was talking about. After all, she was one of the great students of Krishnamaycha— along with Desichikar, Iyengar, Jois, et al. It is a great tradition. Hard to argue with.

#2

Desichikar,Iyengar and Jois are all totally different from each other!!! Yes they have the same teacher…but each developed his own way…who is right?..are they all right…all wrong???

Forward bends are used to counter backward bends…but if the emphasis of your practice is forward bending then you would counter with back bending…

If I want to do a general practice with no particular emphasis then-
1.sun slautations.
2.standing asanas.
3.seated asanas.
4.back bending…followed by relaxing twist
5.calming/cooling inversion.(if lots to do after practice then a stimulating inversion)
6.relaxation.

If I wanted to do have an emphasis of back bends in my practice-
1.sun salutations…including some kind of lunge for hip flexor stretch.
2.standing asanas…neutral and internal rotation of legs …and strong legs…grounded feet.
3.stimulating/heating inversion…handstand or forearm stand…with strong active legs.
4.back bending…starting with back bends which work the back muscles(so back bends from lying on belly…no hands) then into back bends using pulling or pushing with hands/feet/arms/legs also starting from belly down…then back bends from lying on back…or from kneeling…then possibly back bends while balanced on hands/forearms…perhaps going into back bends from standing…need strong legs and grounded feet…then maybe some back bends with an asymmetrical base (such as a back bend in a lunge or pigeon…
5.long relaxing twist.
6.long relaxing supported forward bends.
7.cooling calming inversion.
8.relaxation.

every form of yoga has its own theory of asana sequencing…you have to find what works for you…

#3

[QUOTE=yogacambodia;64513]Desichikar,Iyengar and Jois are all totally different from each other!!! Yes they have the same teacher…but each developed his own way…who is right?..are they all right…all wrong???

In my experience of all three traditions they are not so different in the sequencing of postures , so it is interesting to note what you quote as Indra devi saying.

#4

@Senin,

Kindly provide the link to the site/statement you are referencing please.

thank you.

gordon

#5

http://www.fundacion-indra-devi.org/

#6

Thank you.
I’d actually like to read what you are referencing. However since that site is in Spanish and has over 100 pages to it, a more specific link to what you are speaking of would be helpful.

Where is the information on backbends and forward bends?

#7

You can use a translator-- goggle has one.

Go to Hatha yoga-- Basic Class.

#8

I’ve used the translator thank you.
I did not want to spend my day translating each page to find the one you were referencing. Only so many hours in my day. :slight_smile:
Thanks for the pointing.

#9

[QUOTE=Senin;64510]I have traditionally heard that it is forward bends followed by backbends. Makes sense.

But recently I have been researching Indra Devi’s yoga (see her website). Her practice states-- Sun salutes, followed by backbends, then forward bends, inverted, twist, standing, lotus. Kinda surprising to me.

I figure Indra Devi must know what she was talking about. After all, she was one of the great students of Krishnamaycha— along with Desichikar, Iyengar, Jois, et al. It is a great tradition. Hard to argue with.[/QUOTE]

well…generally all forward bends are soothing and calming… and all backbends are “awakening”.

the sequence depends on the school and your own preference… whichever is more important to u:)

#10

@Senin

Well I’ve finally looked through this as per your direction.

It does seem that these folks are representing Devi and it does seem that on the web site they are offering up a sequence in an order that isn’t the order I’m used to and likely would not randomly give to beginners.

Why they’ve elected to do so I could not say. In some cases student’s distort the master’s instruction. In other cases masters find their own direction chiwh may not at all or in part adhere to that of their teacher.

The only way to know is to actually try it - be the experiment of one. Otherwise it is merely guesswork, though educated it may be.

#11

I agree. It seems a bit unusual. I would be very suspect if it weren’t for being from Indra Devi-- direct student of Krishnamaycha.