In this fun and challenging session David takes you through a vigorous a set of back bending exercises that will work your whole body—especially the back body including backs of thighs, buttocks, spinal muscles and backs of arms.. This session gives you a good taste of the meditative focus that can arrive when you become absorbed in strength work. You learn to cultivate a sense of peace through inward absorption because not despite the fact that there is challenge and struggle. The exercise list includes doing Setubandhasana (Bridge Pose) and variations, Shalabhasana (Locust Pose) and variations, Bhekasana (Frog Pose), and Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) and variations. You’ll do much of the work at the wall. Using a wall to approach these poses gives you a touch of ease that might not otherwise be present and thus you can see how to increase your ability to quiet your mind in the midst of effort.

* One extra note you may find the Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) work presented here to be especially challenging. It may take considerable time and practice to be able to make a robust go at doing back bends while in Shoulderstand. I suggest you return to these exercises repeatedly over the course of several months working to identify the steps in the learning progression and then working to develop your skill one step at a time. Remember the closer you are to the wall the less of a back bend you will be required to do—the easier it will be. Moving away from the wall adds challenge.