The Art of Backbends | Yadu Yoga Workshop
Rooted in the Traditional Vinyāsa Krama and Prāṇāyāma Teachings of Śrī T. Kr̥ṣṇamācārya
Awaken the Spine – Open the Heart – Expand the Self
Discover the Deeper Purpose of Backbends
Backbends are far more than a display of flexibility—they are powerful postures that help release emotional tension, expand the prāṇa, and open the pathway of devotion. In the Yadu Yoga tradition, backbending is a sacred gesture of offering the heart, not merely arching the spine.
This 2-hour workshop is rooted in the Samantraka Vinyāsa Krama, the intelligent sequencing method transmitted by Śrī T. Kr̥ṣṇamācārya. Every movement is guided by mantra, every breath becomes prayer, and every posture leads to stillness and inner light.
What You Will Learn?
Through carefully structured sequences and guided breathwork, you will:
- Explore the energetic architecture of the spine and how to safely deepen backbends
- Align mantra, breath, and movement for integrated awareness
- Learn how prāṇāyāma and mudrā support spinal extension
- Awaken Anāhata Cakra and the upper marma points to enhance heart-centered presence
- Apply counterposes and rest phases using Kr̥ṣṇamācārya’s principles to preserve nervous system balance
This is not a performance-based backbend class. It is a journey of surrender and strength, where spinal extension becomes a gateway to clarity, bhakti, and transcendence.
Samantraka Prāṇāyāma: Breathing into Expansion
A unique hallmark of this workshop is the inclusion of Samantraka Prāṇāyāma — breath practice guided by mantra and mental focus. This ancient technique from Kr̥ṣṇamācārya’s lineage enhances flexibility from within by:
- Releasing tension held in subtle layers of the body
- Guiding prāṇa to flow evenly through restricted areas
- Harmonizing the iḍā and piṅgalā nāḍīs to support muscular softness
- Anchoring the mind in breath-led stillness
Rooted in Samantraka Vinyāsa Krama
Unlike generalized vinyāsa flows, the Samantraka Krama emphasizes:
- One breath, one movement, linked with specific mantras
- Progressive sequencing, moving from simple to complex
- Therapeutic modifications for different body constitutions (deha-prakṛti)
- Integration of mantra nyāsa, cakra dhyāna, and meditative rest between peak postures
This method allows you to go deeper safely, guided by breath, devotion, and discernment.
Workshop Format & What’s Included
- Duration: 2 hours
- Format: In-person or live online (depending on date)
- Includes:
- Guided Vinyāsa Krama Backbend Sequence
- Breath-led postures with mantra recitation
- Integration with Nyāsa and Anāhata Marma points
- Devotional closing meditation
- Downloadable practice sheet (PDF)
Why Backbends? – Specific Benefits
Backbends are known in traditional yoga texts as uṣṇa-karaka (heat-generating) and stambha-nāśaka (obstruction-removing) postures. They stimulate circulation, liberate diaphragmatic breathing, and invigorate the subtle body. From the Samantraka lens, they also:
- Enhance vitality by improving prāṇic flow along the suṣumṇā-nāḍī
- Rejuvenate the spine, especially the thoracic and lumbar regions
- Build emotional resilience by activating marma points associated with grief and suppression
- Stimulate the endocrine system, especially the thymus and adrenal glands
- Restore heart-centered confidence, courage, and clarity
- Cultivate devotion, since the physical opening of the chest is matched with an internal opening to the Divine
Who Is This For?
This workshop is open to all levels, with variations offered throughout. It is especially ideal for:
- Yoga practitioners seeking to deepen spinal awareness and heart-opening postures
- Teachers who want to understand safe sequencing and Samantraka methodology
- Spiritual seekers interested in the energetics of yoga, cakra alignment, and devotional embodiment
- Practitioners recovering from emotional burnout, stress, or postural rigidity
No prior experience with advanced backbends is necessary. What matters is your willingness to listen, breathe, and unfold.
