Event Detail

This practical, in-depth workshop explores how to approach backbends with confidence, clarity, and ease. We will look at the key elements that make these poses both safe and enjoyable, focusing on spinal mobility, front-body opening, and the strength needed to support healthy movement.

You’ll learn how to prepare your body through targeted mobility work, understand the mechanics behind common backbends, and practise a progressive sequence that meets you at your level. The session ends with grounding stretches and a relaxing wind-down, so you leave feeling open, steady, and well supported.

Early spring energy is stirring, but the body is still holding winter heaviness.

With this Backbends workshop, you will:

• invigorate without feeling overwhelmed
• clear stagnation in the chest and upper back
• support better breathing
• build confidence and emotional resilience
• relieve the slumped posture people develop during winter

Give yourself the chance to feel grounded, purposeful, and seasonal without being generic.

Investment:

Early Bird £28 (Until February 1st)

Full price: £35

Book here: https://app.ubindi.com/Geny.Caloisi

WHAT THE WORKSHOP COVERS

A precise, teachable sequence of components:

1. The Anatomy of a Healthy Backbend

A short, practical introduction covering:

the role of the thoracic spine

how the hips influence lumbar compression

safe engagement of glutes, hamstrings and deep core

how to protect the lower back and neck

Clear, visual, hands-on learning.

2. Mobility Preparation

Guided work to release the areas that restrict backbends:

hip flexors

quadriceps

upper back

side body

shoulders

This section includes very specific drills like:

low lunge variations with glute activation

puppy pose with blocks

thoracic mobilisation using a foam roller or brick

3. Strength Essentials for Safe Backbending

A focused section on the muscles that should be working:

glutes and hamstrings

serratus anterior

mid-back stabilisers

transverse abdominis

Examples:

• bridge variations
• sphinx with engagement cues
• prone shoulder squeezes
• kneeling backbends with controlled breath

4. Progressive Backbend Practice

A structured flow moving from gentle to more challenging shapes:

• sphinx and low cobra
• supported camel
• full camel
• bridge
• full wheel (optional, safely broken down)
• bow pose variations
• finishing with a gentle counter-twist sequence
• Everyone progresses at their level with plenty of props.

5. Emotional Landscape of Backbends

A short reflection:

How opening the chest can bring vulnerability and release.

How courage and confidence are linked to energising poses.

Supportive Ayurvedic tips for late winter

This creates depth without drifting into vagueness.

legs up

6. Cooling, Grounding Integration

A calming end:

forward folds

extended guided relaxation focused on grounding vata energy

Participants go home feeling balanced rather than overstimulated.

OUTCOMES:

By the end of the workshop, you will:

• understand exactly what makes a backbend safe
• know how to prepare the body properly
• access deeper poses without fear
• feel more energised, expansive, and steady
• have a small personalised sequence to continue at home

This gives the event a clear promise and tangible results.

Saturday 20 February, 10 am to 12 pm

W.G. Grace, 1 Lion’s Close, SE9 4HG

*Suitable for all levels except complete beginners.