Day 3 of #pure5pillars is Air (Dynamic)- A Heart Opener/Transition

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DAY 3 OF #PURE5PILLARS IS AIR (DYNAMIC) - a HEART OPENER/TRANSITION

Backbends are one of my favourite practices(the other one is inversion).

While inversions are grounding, backbends are invigorating. It’s like a “pick me up”. It’s called a heart opener for a good reason.

Whenever I feel down, a backbend practice always makes me feel better.

Day 3 of #pure5pillars, the element is Air (Dynamic), represented by a heart opener/transition.

Out of all the backbends, Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose), is my favourite.

I remembered the first time getting into Wheel, it was a “wow”.

Not all backbends give me a feeling of a big opening (definitely not Kapotasana or Dhanurasana haha). But a good Urdhva Dhanurasana, the feeling is both balanced, stable, and free.

Another interesting about Wheel is for the longest time, we thought Wheel is the end game. It’s the peak pose, it’s the big moment. It’s the finale.

Until I realize this is the entry pose of many more variations, from Viparita Dandasana (Forearm Wheel), one-legged version, and dropbacks.

Dropbacks are my favourite dynamic transition. From standing to the wheel to standing back up; or tik-tok from Headstand to wheel.

Every year on my birthday (and my teacher’s), we have a ritual of doing the same number of Urdhva Dhanurasana/dropbacks, as our age.

“We are only as young as our spine is flexible.” Right?

Backbends not only open our hearts, but it also opens our mind, to conquer fear, to explore the unknown. And Wheel pose opens the doors to endless potential.

Yoga, this thing, has no end.

I am grateful, as I know there is a lifetime to learn more.