Back bend fear

kaetmarie

Hi! I'm Katie - I'm new to this group, but not yoga. I am finding myself struggling with backbends....I can get into camel without too much trouble and I've been in wheel before, but I'm having a hard time letting go of fear in these poses. I think it's more of a mental block than physical....not sure what's going on. Advice!?!

yoginimary

Not sure. Where does the fear come in? Do you have problems with backbends where you lift off the floor like bow (dhanurasana) or locust (salabhasana)?

kaetmarie

I'm okay in those poses -- I'm not sure. It's like I don't trust my body to be able to do it. I'm just starting to do inversions, which was a similar issue for me -- but I'm finding it less of a barrier at this point. I really want wheel though! I've been in it before, but it's been a while and now I just doubt myself. I'm not even sure if there's anything anyone can say to help, but I was wondering if anyone experienced something similar ever. I've been spending a lot of time in bridge and camel to work up to it...but when it's time to try, I just freak out and go back into bridge!

yoginimary

Have you tried pushing up in a chair? Something like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVbNeBDo26U

It's better if you have a backless folding chair as the ones with a back lift up as Bobby Clennell shows. If you only have a regular chair, then just push up a little, to show you can. If you lift the chair up, it makes the chair a little unstable and could cause you to freak out. You could also lift up from two bolsters strapped together. Although with any of these, it's best to try with your teacher present.

yoginimary

Here's a good article to help you as well:
http://www.yogajournal.com/article/practice-section/asana-column-urdhva-dhanurasana-backbend/

kaetmarie

These are great, thank you so much for your help!!!