Do you find urdhva dhanurasana, upward bow pose (sometimes called wheel), challenging?

This deep backbend is energizing, a delicious shoulder opener, and a welcome counter to excessive sitting, but it can be incredibly difficult to access. Why? 

This workshop will examine some common challenges to getting into upward bow pose and will give you strategies to navigate those roadblocks.

We’ll start with a vigorous asana practice (because there’s LOTS to warm up in preparation), then dive into a detailed pose breakdown. As we workshop this common asana, you’ll learn many, many tricks to help you get into the pose—so you can feel more confident in your favorite classes and bask in the energetic uplift of this huge backbend.

Does this sound like you?

• “Upward bow hurts my wrists.” We’ll learn strategies to alleviate wrist pain. (Hint: Your wrists may not be the culprit!)

• “I just can’t get off the floor. I’m not strong enough.” We’ll learn an approach to address that difficulty too. (Hint: It’s not just about arm strength!)

• “My back feels cranky in this pose, so I always skip it.” We’ll stock your toolkit. There are a ton of ways to create space in the lower back here.

You’ll leave this workshop with personalized strategies that you can use whenever upward bow is taught in a class.You’ll clarify your unique challenges and needs and you’ll gain tools to make this deep backbend more accessible and enjoyable.

Teachers, you’ll learn some key principles—and fun preps—you can use in sequencing toward this commonly-taught backbend. You’ll also gain a host of techniques you can use to help students in class.

Sometimes you really do need to reinvent the wheel.