Standing Backbend for Beginners and Men | A Step-by-Step Tutorial for 2024

This posture is extremely effective for strengthening the core and spine, and for improving spinal mobility. Use it in the morning to wake up with an energy boost. Standing backbend is also great before a workout to activate your...

Standing Backbend for Beginners and Men | A Step-by-Step Tutorial for 2024

This posture is extremely effective for strengthening the core and spine, and for improving spinal mobility. Use it in the morning to wake up with an energy boost. Standing backbend is also great before a workout to activate your core and warm up your spine.

Standing Backbend Pose Target Areas

core spine shoulders

Standing Backbend Pose Benefits

Strengthens spine and core Corrects posture Improves balance and spinal mobility Opens chest

How to Do Standing Backbend

click images to enlarge

Standing Backbend - Step 1Standing Backbend – Step 1Standing Backbend - Step 2Standing Backbend – Step 2 Stand in Mountain pose with your big toes touching and your heels about 1in (2.5cm) apart. Reach your arms overhead, press palms together, and interlace fingers, pointing the index fingers up. Inhale as you slowly look up at the ceiling, then exhale as you bend backward. Keep hips and core engaged, and maintain length in your spine. Hold the posture, inhaling as you lengthen the spine and lift the sternum higher, and exhaling as you bend deeper and reach further back

Cues for Standing Backbend

Engage core Keep core engaged Keep hips over ankles Lock knees Press evenly through feet

WHAT YOU SHOULD FEEL

Stretch through chest and shoulders

WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T FEEL

Neck pain; if you do, keep the back of neck long and engaged Lower-back pain; if you do, reach tailbone down, and increase core engagement

PRO TIP: This pose is a constant push and pull between lengthening the spine and deepening the arch. As you inhale, lengthen the spine and grow taller. As you exhale, increase the degree of the backbend and reach further back.

Side View: Bend back only as far as it feels comfortable and core remains engaged. Do not let your lower back arch.

Standing Backbend - Side ViewStanding Backbend – Side View

STANDING BACKBEND MODIFICATION

Extend your arms without interlacing your fingers.

Standing Backbend Pose ModificationStanding Backbend Pose Modification

If you’re looking to learn other poses that are beginner-friendly, try:

Child’s Pose Mountain Pose Forward Fold

About Dean Pohlman, Founder & CEO of Man Flow Yoga, Author of Yoga Fitness for Men, Expert on Yoga Fitness for Men.

Dean Pohlman is an E-RYT 200 certified yoga instructor and the founder of Man Flow Yoga. Dean is widely considered to be an authority on Yoga for Men. He has worked with physical therapists to create yoga programs for back health and spinal recovery. His workouts and programs have been used by professional and collegiate athletes, athletic trainers, and personal trainers; and have been recommended by physical therapists, doctors, chiropractors, and other medical professionals.

Dean is a successfully published author through DK Publishing (Yoga Fitness for Men), selling 35,000 copies worldwide in English, French, and German; in addition to being a co-producer of the Body by Yoga DVD Series, which has sold over 40,000 copies on Amazon since its release in 2016.

Man Flow Yoga has been featured in Muscle & Fitness Magazine, Mens’ Health, The Chicago Sun, New York Magazine, and many more major news media outlets.

FAQs

Are standing backbends good for you?

Yes, when done correctly, standing backbends can provide many benefits. Here are a few:
– Spine flexibility
– Core and back strengthening
– Improved posture
– Energy boost
– Stress Relief

How long should I hold a standing backbend?

If you’re just starting out, first make sure you follow this step be step tutorial. Then start slow, holding the pose for 5 to 10 seconds and slowly build up from there. Don’t forget to breathe deeply

How do I know if I’m doing a standing backbend correctly?

To get the full benefits of a standing backbend and to avoid injury, here are a few things to watch out for:
– Keeping you core engaged
– Press evenly through the feet
– Proper alignment
– Avoid over extending
– LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!