This advanced inverted backbend is a great pose to figure out how to use a yoga wheel. This pose is a complex combination of Wheel Pose, Fish Pose, Upward Plank, and Headstand.
It requires intense physical and mental flexibility while also giving you a wonderful full body stretch. Before beginning your pose, set your intention: “I will focus on what I can control and release the rest.”
Let’s try it:
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Bend your knees and place your feet on the floor while you are sitting up
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Place your hands lightly on the inside of your yoga wheel from behind to hold it in place
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Lean back against the yoga wheel, release your hands, and press through your heels as you lift up your hips
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Elongate through your spine over the wheel and broaden through your chest
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Let the yoga wheel roll between your shoulder blades and position your forearms flat on the mat to grab the inside of the wheel
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Relax your head and neck and engage your inner thighs
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Hold for three to five breaths and then slowly reverse the movement to come out
Use a Yoga Wheel to Challenge Your Body AND Deepen Your Practice
Choosing to add or use a prop in your yoga practice helps to enhance your full awareness with the postures and dive deeper into your own yogi bond.
The main focus of the yoga wheel is to help open and support the body through slow controlled movements, breath, and extensions while also connecting deeper into your mindfulness to stay alert, active, and aware of what you’re doing.
It can help make challenging poses more accessible and boost your own confidence with your new mindset and strength. Not to mention, it helps make challenging poses more fun with added creative twists.
Through your journey I hope it’s filled with supported props (and friends) that help you create your own path to being your true authentic self.
Photo Credits: Terrence Jones Photography