idapajunen

Hello!
I have had some great progress with this issue in the past week! Dominichjones, I think you are correct about it being an issue with core engagement. I was confused by that theory at first because I focus so much on the core, but I’ve found something that has seemed to work.

Basically, I believe I’ve been going too deep in my backbends, and in the wrong way. In standing bow, full bow, and camel, I am not keeping an engaged core/very slight lengthening of the low back. Therefore, my back is bending but my front side is not lengthened sufficiently. The outcome is a bit of a crunch in my low back that I believe was what was making it start to feel achey. Essentially this is a core issue, because it seems that if you are all the way engaged, your back will not be able to bend in that way. I hope this makes sense…

Emshilie, this would explain your concern with the backbends! The alignment of half-moon is very difficult. In that pose especially, think about lengthening and stretching out of the side you’re bending into, not just the side that’s stretching. It’s amazing how much you have to lift out of your hips. Hope that helps!