Quantum yoga

“Quantum Yoga is a dynamic flowing exercise suited to your individual needs and designed by yourself based on an effective and safe grouping and sequencing system.
backbends
   Backbends are primarily about opening the chest region and thus stimulating the ‘anahata’ (heart) chakra. This is an area many of us protect and where much sadness can be stored. Even if you are one of those blessed persons who consider themselves truly happy and fulfilled, everybody has experienced that root sadness of disconnection. Emotional outbursts and even tears are no rarity after backbends. These should not be held back. Yoga offers a safe environment in which to let go and rid yourself of unnecessary frustration that pertains to the past.
the future
   There is no doubt that backbends will take those Yogis who are emotionally protective out of their comfort zone. It is said that limitations in backbends are an indication of fear of the future. Certainly many of us have felt that reluctance to ‘expose’ oneself in this manner, for a backbend often feels as though you are letting your defences down. It is advisable to practise strong backbends only when a good foundation of asana experience has been established and then also to place this section into the second half of the sequence.
strong core – open heart
   One must establish a strong core. The more solid your integrity, the easier it will be to truly open your heart without getting hurt or losing yourself in the process. The abdominals, pelvis, shoulders, thoracic region and lungs all play a part in this process. The spine is a natural S-shape. Almost everybody can backbend in the lumbar area because it is already bending back anyway.
   Stand up and feel your lower back right now. Then move your hand up to the area between your shoulder blades. It is this convex area where so many of us tend to hold in tension and which needs to become concave in a backbend. Particularly flexible people will therefore have to learn to restrain their lumbar area in order to release the dorsal spine. If backbends are done without such awareness, perceived strengths will soon become weaknesses...”

   The article continues to describe in detail several poses involving backbends and transitions. It is extracted courtesy of the book QUANTUM YOGA by Lara Baumann, published by Mandala Publishing. These exercises, and the practices described in the book are designed for the committed yoga practitioner who really wants to make progress. It is accompanied by a practice DVD. An interview with author Lara Baumann follows the article.