A backbend is a

gymnastics Gymnastics is a type of sport that includes physical exercises requiring balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, dedication and endurance. The movements involved in gymnastics contribute to the development of the arms, legs, s ...

contortion Contortion (sometimes contortionism) is a performance art in which performers called contortionists showcase their skills of extreme physical flexibility. Contortion acts often accompany acrobatics, circus acts, street performers and other liv ...

, dance and

ice skating Ice skating is the self-propulsion and gliding of a person across an ice surface, using metal-bladed ice skates. People skate for various reasons, including recreation (fun), exercise, competitive sports, and commuting. Ice skating may be per ...

move, where the spine is bent backwards, and catching oneself with the hands. Throughout the move, the

abdominal muscles The abdomen (colloquially called the belly, tummy, midriff, tucky or stomach) is the part of the body between the thorax (chest) and pelvis, in humans and in other vertebrates. The abdomen is the front part of the abdominal segment of the torso ...

, obliques, and

legs A leg is a weight-bearing and animal locomotion, locomotive anatomical structure, usually having a columnar shape. During locomotion, legs function as "extensible struts". The combination of movements at all joints can be modeled as a single ...

are used to steady the performer while curving backwards.

Modern yoga Modern yoga is a wide range of yoga practices with differing purposes, encompassing in its various forms yoga philosophy derived from the Vedas, physical postures derived from Hatha yoga, devotional and tantra-based practices, and Hindu nation ...

includes some backbending asanas. Backbending can be acquired from intense training or genetics.

Overview

The spine consists of 24

vertebra The spinal column, a defining synapomorphy shared by nearly all vertebrates, Hagfish are believed to have secondarily lost their spinal column is a moderately flexible series of vertebrae (singular vertebra), each constituting a characterist ...

e and between the vertebrae are small cushions referred to as disks. The movement of the vertebrae and the compression ability of the disks give the spine its flexibility. It is easier to perform a backbend after mastering a

bridge A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or rail) without blocking the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, which is usually somethi ...

. A bridge helps familiarize the bones and muscles to the positions and movements of a backbend. There are over a dozen yoga positions that are variant of the backbend. A "rib thrust" is common and deleterious to a good yoga pose, and one of the more common of several errors associated with the backbend.

Uses

The backbend is important in gymnastics because it is essential to perform a back handspring. Backbends are part of the

repertoire A repertoire () is a list or set of dramas, operas, musical compositions or roles which a company or person is prepared to perform. Musicians often have a musical repertoire. The first known use of the word ''repertoire'' was in 1847. It is a ...

of professional and competitive ice skaters. For example, a backbend was performed by Jimmie Santee in the 1994 production of '' Walt Disney's World on Ice: Aladdin.'' Backbends and other contortions were a feature of the performance of Mr. Frick from the 1930s ice comedy act Frick and Frack.

Injuries

When performed correctly, backbends can increase the range of motion of the spine. However, there is a significant risk of injury. These injuries include

low back pain Low back pain (LBP) or lumbago is a common disorder involving the muscles, nerves, and bones of the back, in between the lower edge of the ribs and the lower fold of the buttocks. Pain can vary from a dull constant ache to a sudden sharp fee ...

, injuries to the spinal discs,

muscle spasms A spasm is a sudden involuntary contraction of a muscle, a group of muscles, or a hollow organ such as the bladder. A spasmodic muscle contraction may be caused by many medical conditions, including dystonia. Most commonly, it is a muscl ...

and

paralysis Paralysis (also known as plegia) is a loss of motor function in one or more muscles. Paralysis can also be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage. In the United States, roughly 1 in 5 ...

; In 2016, a 5-year-old girl from

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wor ...

became paralysed after attempting a backbend that resulted in damage to numerous areas of her spine.

Backbending asanas

includes backbending asanas such as the kneeling Kapotasana and

Ustrasana Ustrasana ( sa, उष्ट्रासन; IAST: ''Uṣṭrāsana''), Ushtrasana, or Camel Pose is a kneeling back-bending asana in modern yoga as exercise. Etymology and origins The name comes from the Sanskrit words उष्ट्र U� ...

, the inverted Urdhva Dhanurasana, and the sitting Rajakapotasana. These are described as "strenuous" poses, and should be worked on gently by beginners or people with stiff backs to avoid injury. The spine can be released after backbending asanas with twisting asanas such as Marichyasana and Matsyendrasana, or by forward bends such as Janusirsasana, practised gently.

References

{{reflist Contortion Backbend asanas

Overview

Uses

Injuries

Backbending asanas

See also

References