60 - 90 Mins
The Armpits: Waking up the Dark Corners in Backward Extensions
This session combines supported back arches, with supported forward extensions. The back arches are used to explore one of the 'dark zones' in our body that usually escapes our attention - the armpit area.
In this session we practice backbends with awareness to that back end of the armpits. We use the backbends to access that region and also use gained awareness to enhance the backbend practice.
Level: Experienced Beginners, Intermediate
Duration: 80 min.
Props needed: blocks, yoga belt, a sturdy chair, a couple of firm folded blankets
Tag words: 80mins adho mukha svanasana back arches backbends props support urdhva mukha svanasana ustrasana
Directing attention to the armpits might sound odd to the lay person, but for an asana practitioner, each ‘dark/ unexplored’ area of the body is an opportunity for exploration. For many people, the armpits are such a dark zone. Ever noticed the back of your armpits? There are wrinkles instead of stretched skin. Stretched skin indicates that the muscle behind the skin is being used. If the awareness of this small region is included in the backbends the range and form of backbends will increase which means the back of the body will be in good shape.
In this session we practice backbends with awareness to that back end of the armpits. We use the backbends to access that region and also use gained awareness to enhance the backbend practice.
Note:
People with back injury/ weakness are advised to proceed with caution, and use supports where recommended.
