Leaning into the Back Body with Yoga

Growing up my Mom drove a big station wagon that had simulated wood paneling and seats that faced out the back window.  Anytime my brother and I started to get into it, in an attempt to silence the argument, her hand would reach back and start aimlessly waving hoping to gently strike one of us.  As much as we tried to suck our bodies to one side or the other, she always seemed to make contact with one of us, while still driving perfectly fine!

How many of us could say that we are fully aware of the space that is behind us?  Because our eyes face forward, we see straight ahead along with an ability to view things in the peripheral. For me, the only time I’m aware of what’s behind me is when I’m trying on clothing at the store and needing to catch a peek at my backside in a 3-sided mirror or perhaps when I’m walking down a dark alley at night.  It’s rare that we contemplate that which is behind us. 

The space that is behind us is our “back body”.  To bring intelligence and presence to this side of the body that we don’t see, is a skill to be learned in our yoga practice.  Whether we are working over a computer screen, cradling a baby, or striving in the pursuit of our dreams, it’s easy to see how quickly we can get off balance with forward momentum.  When we are leaning forward, gravity drags us down and over time accumulates tension and strain of our muscles and skeletal structure.  On the yoga mat we use physical postures, breath and a mindful focus on God’s word to offset our worldly stress and to positively support body structure.  It’s here that we find the ability to counter lean into this unseen area of the back body with confidence and an upright stance.
As far as I know, there’s only 3 people with an innate ability to perceive that which goes on behind us, our mothers, best friends and God. My mom obviously had eyes on the back of her head while my best friends have my back,  but they are not always around when I need them most.  Thankfully God’s my rear Guard (Isaiah 52:12) and He gives me all around support, all the time.

Join us this Wednesday at noon as we learn what it means to bring our awareness to the back body and how God’s got your back!

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