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YogaPath

Backbends poses

Poses that extend the spine and open the front of the body — chest, hip flexors and abdomen.

Beginner backbends 16

Learnable in a first class, with a version that works for most bodies.

Bridge Pose Setu Bandha Sarvāṅgāsana Beginner · backbends · 30–60 seconds, 2–3 rounds gluteshamstrings Cat Pose Mārjaryāsana Beginner · backbends · 8–12 rounds with Cow abdominalsspinal erectors Cobra Pose Bhujaṅgāsana Beginner · backbends · 15–30 seconds, 2–3 rounds spinal erectorsglutes Cow Pose Bitilāsana Beginner · backbends · 8–12 rounds with Cat spinal erectorschest Easy Bow Pose Sarala Dhanurāsana Beginner · backbends · 15–30 seconds, 2 rounds quadricepsspinal erectors Half Camel Pose Ardha Uṣṭrāsana Beginner · backbends · 20–40 seconds hip flexorschest Half Locust Pose Ardha Śalabhāsana Beginner · backbends · 10–15 seconds each side, 2–3 rounds glutesspinal erectors Locust Pose Śalabhāsana Beginner · backbends · 10–20 seconds, 3 rounds spinal erectorsglutes Melting Heart Pose Anāhatāsana Beginner · backbends · 1–2 minutes latissimus dorsichest Raised Arms Pose Hasta Uttānāsana Beginner · backbends · 2–3 breaths spinal erectorsshoulders Reverse Tabletop Pose Ardha Pūrvottānāsana Beginner · backbends · 20–30 seconds, 2 rounds gluteshamstrings Snake Pose Sarpāsana Beginner · backbends · 10–20 seconds, 3 rounds spinal erectorsrhomboids Sphinx Pose Sālamba Bhujaṅgāsana Beginner · backbends · 1–3 minutes spinal erectorschest Standing Backward Bend Ardha Cakrāsana Beginner · backbends · 2–4 breaths, 2 rounds spinal erectorschest Tiger Pose Vyāghrāsana Beginner · backbends · 6–10 rounds each side glutesspinal erectors Twisting Cobra Pose Tiryaka Bhujaṅgāsana Beginner · backbends · 5–8 slow rounds each side spinal erectorsobliques

Intermediate backbends 14

Assume a working base of strength and range, and a teacher who has watched you move.

Bow Pose Dhanurāsana Intermediate · backbends · 15–25 seconds, 2–3 rounds quadricepsspinal erectors Camel Pose Uṣṭrāsana Intermediate · backbends · 20–30 seconds, 2 rounds hip flexorsquadriceps Fish Pose Matsyāsana Intermediate · backbends · 20–40 seconds chestspinal erectors Four-Footed Pose Catuṣpādāsana Intermediate · backbends · 20–40 seconds, 2 rounds gluteshamstrings Half Bow Pose Ardha Dhanurāsana Intermediate · backbends · 15–20 seconds each side quadricepsspinal erectors Half Frog Pose Ardha Bhekāsana Intermediate · backbends · 20–30 seconds each side quadricepship flexors One-Legged Bridge Pose Eka Pāda Setu Bandhāsana Intermediate · backbends · 15–20 seconds each side gluteshamstrings One-Legged King Pigeon Pose Eka Pāda Rājakapotāsana Intermediate · backbends · 30–60 seconds each side hip flexorsquadriceps Reclining Hero Pose Supta Vīrāsana Intermediate · backbends · 1–3 minutes quadricepship flexors Side Bow Pose Pārśva Dhanurāsana Intermediate · backbends · 2–3 breaths each side quadricepsspinal erectors Supported Upward Bow Pose Sālamba Ūrdhva Dhanurāsana Intermediate · backbends · 1–3 minutes chestshoulders Upward Plank Pose Pūrvottānāsana Intermediate · backbends · 15–30 seconds, 2 rounds gluteshamstrings Upward-Facing Dog Ūrdhva Mukha Śvānāsana Intermediate · backbends · 15–30 seconds spinal erectorschest Wild Thing Camatkārāsana Intermediate · backbends · 10–20 seconds each side gluteschest

Advanced backbends 13

Long-practice poses. The risk is rarely the shape itself — it is arriving at it years early.

Bridge Pose on the Crown Setu Bandhāsana Advanced · backbends · 10–20 seconds spinal erectorsglutes Bulb Pose Kandāsana Advanced · backbends · 10–20 seconds hip adductorship flexors Frog Pose Bhekāsana Advanced · backbends · 10–20 seconds quadricepship flexors Gheranda's Pose Gheraṇḍāsana Advanced · backbends · 15–20 seconds each side quadricepship flexors Inverted Locust Pose Viparīta Śalabhāsana Advanced · backbends · 5–10 seconds spinal erectorsglutes Inverted Staff Pose Viparīta Daṇḍāsana Advanced · backbends · 20–40 seconds spinal erectorschest King Pigeon Pose Rājakapotāsana Advanced · backbends · 5–10 seconds hip flexorschest Little Thunderbolt Pose Laghu Vajrāsana Advanced · backbends · 5–10 seconds quadricepship flexors One-Legged Inverted Staff Pose Eka Pāda Viparīta Daṇḍāsana Advanced · backbends · 5–10 seconds each side spinal erectorsshoulders One-Legged Upward Bow Pose Eka Pāda Ūrdhva Dhanurāsana Advanced · backbends · 5–10 seconds each side glutesquadriceps Pigeon Pose Kapotāsana Advanced · backbends · 10–20 seconds hip flexorschest Two-Legged Inverted Staff Pose Dvi Pāda Viparīta Daṇḍāsana Advanced · backbends · 30–60 seconds spinal erectorsshoulders Upward Bow Pose Ūrdhva Dhanurāsana Advanced · backbends · 10–20 seconds, 2–3 rounds glutesquadriceps

Questions

What are backbends in yoga?

Poses that extend the spine and open the front of the body — chest, hip flexors and abdomen. YogaPath lists 43 of them, from Bridge Pose through to Upward Bow Pose.

Which backbends should a beginner start with?

The 16 poses in this family marked beginner: Bridge Pose, Cat Pose, Cobra Pose, Cow Pose, Easy Bow Pose and others. Each has a version that works for most bodies, and each page lists who should skip it.

Are backbends safe for everyone?

No family of poses is. Each page in this group lists its own contraindications — pregnancy, blood pressure, glaucoma, and neck, knee, shoulder or wrist injury all rule out specific poses. Read the cautions on the individual page, ask your doctor if a condition applies to you, and learn the poses with a qualified teacher.

Other families

Standing 18Seated 29Forward bends 22Twists 25Inversions 20Balance 31Restorative 21

Asana names are traditional. Every step, benefit and caution on this page is written for YogaPath rather than reproduced from any book, studio or other library — see how this site is written. Energy figures derive from the 2024 Adult Compendium of Physical Activities. General information only — not medical advice. Some asanas are unsuitable during pregnancy, injury or specific conditions. Learn from a qualified teacher and stop if anything hurts.

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