do a backbend

I didn’t even notice until I lowered myself down to the ground. A good improvement. All those “push up” poses and sun salutations are helping.

So I can do this, although probably not correctly (yet more back flexibility needed). Maybe in a few days I’ll mark this as done.

I noticed that my camera has a “movie record” option, which should give me more than plenty time to capture myself in the bridge backbend and other moves properly (or semi-properly anyway).

Today I don’t feel like I have the usual amount of energy, so that’s why I’m waiting an extra day before I try something that requires ample amounts of arm power (which I might not have).

So I’ll see what happens then.

Even held it for 20 seconds and lowered myself back to the ground without even getting that shaky feeling in my arms.

I never did try doing this from a standing position yet (Maybe next time I will if I’m brave). I feel like my quadricep muscles in my legs could be a little more flexible (along with my back, still).

Because of those, I’m a little uneasy about the thought of doing a backbend/bridge from a standing position. Time to work extra hard on those Sun Salutations.

I was recommended the “Chaturanga” yoga pose to help with arm strength. Basically it’s a static push up (halfway down) position, and I can really feel the burn in my arms after holding that pose for not even 20 seconds.

I’ll gladly consider that making progress, and continue to include Chaturanga, Plank and other arm strengthening poses in my routine.

Although I still think my back could use just a little (read: much) more flexibility, so I’ll work on that aspect as well.

I’m noticing that the backbend seems to be the same as the Wheel pose in Yoga. But this is done from a standing position, compared to the “lying on the back” position of the Wheel pose.

I’ve been attempting this every day for about a week now, and today I just surprised myself by being able to lift myself up off the ground. It’s surprising since my tricep muscles have very poor tone (push ups and pull ups are a no go currently)

Admittedly I did this on the sand at the beach, and when I lied down, my feet were a little lower than my head. But I do love seeing the progress. Maybe next month I can do this on flat ground, or better yet, be brave enough to try doing this from the correct standing-up position.

This is one of the not-so-random flexibility-based goals for me to achieve at some point this year. Becoming more flexible was one of my New Year’s resolutions, a crazier resolution is being able to do the splits.

I’ve only began stretching my back muscles, so I don’t at all feel like I’m able to even do a 50% back bend. But, I’ll continue my stretching on a daily basis, and just maybe in a week or so I’ll be supple enough (and brave enough) to attempt a back bend.