Backbends Quotes

• Backbends are not poses meant for expressionism. Backbends are meant to understand the back parts of our bodies. The front body can be seen with the eyes, but the back body can only be felt. That's why I say these are the most advanced postures, where the mind begins to look at the back.

  B.K.S. Iyengar

  Eye, Mind, Looks

  63 Copy quote

• In backbends, one touches the body physically, mentally, intellectually, consciously and spiritually everywhere.

  B.K.S. Iyengar

  Body

  66 Copy quote

• In forward bends, one uses the outer mind while in backbends the outer mind is silenced and the inner mind is made to work.

  B.K.S. Iyengar

  Mind, Use, Made

  54 Copy quote

• That's the beauty of backbends. Emotionally we can never be disturbed, for the emotional centre becomes an extrovert. When you do Viparita Dandasana, your head looks backwards, but your conscious mind stretches everywhere. Study by observing how the mind gets regulated. You not only know the freedom in the spine, but also the freedom in the spirit.

  B.K.S. Iyengar

  Emotional, Mind, Looks

  47 Copy quote

• Backbends are to be felt more than expressed. The other postures can be expressed and then felt. Like in meditation each person has to feel backbends.

  B.K.S. Iyengar

  Meditation, Posture, Feels

  47 Copy quote

• I also say with backbends, you have to be cautiously bold. Not carelessly bold. You have to descend to the dictation of the spine. You cannot command from the brain to do the poses. As you play with a child, guarding the child from injuries, similarly you have to play in backbends, guarding your spine.

  B.K.S. Iyengar

  Children, Play, Brain

  41 Copy quote

• Why are we doing all these handstands, backbends and arm balances? I don't know why we're doing them unless our lives are shaped and changed.

  Judith Hanson Lasater

  Balance, Arms, Changed

  16 Copy quote