Abackbend is agymnastics,contortion,dance andice skating move, where thespine is bent backwards, and catching oneself with the hands. Throughout the move, theabdominal muscles,obliques, andlegs are used to steady the performer while curving backwards.Modern yoga includes some backbendingasanas. Backbending can be acquired from intense training or genetics.
The spine consists of 24vertebrae and between the vertebrae are small cushions referred to as disks. The movement of the vertebrae and the compression ability of the disks give the spine its flexibility.
It is easier to perform a backbend after mastering abridge. A bridge helps familiarize the bones and muscles to the positions and movements of a backbend.
There are over a dozen yoga positions that are variant of the backbend.[1] A "rib thrust" is common and deleterious to a good yoga pose, and one of the more common of several errors associated with the backbend.[2]
The backbend is important in gymnastics because it is essential to perform a backhandspring.
Backbends are part of therepertoire of professional and competitive ice skaters. For example, a backbend was performed byJimmie Santee in the 1994 production ofWalt Disney's World on Ice: Aladdin. Backbends and other contortions were a feature of the performance of Mr. Frick from the 1930s ice comedy actFrick and Frack.[3]
When performed correctly, backbends can increase the range of motion of the spine. However, there is a significant risk of injury. These injuries includelow back pain, injuries to thespinal discs,muscle spasms[4] andparalysis; In 2016, a 5-year-old girl fromLos Angeles became paralysed after attempting a backbend that resulted in damage to numerous areas of her spine.[5]
Modern yoga includes backbendingasanas such as the kneelingKapotasana andUstrasana, the invertedUrdhva Dhanurasana, and the sittingRajakapotasana. These are described as "strenuous"[6] poses, and should be worked on gently by beginners or people with stiff backs to avoid injury.[6] The spine can be released after backbending asanas with twisting asanas such asMarichyasana andMatsyendrasana, or by forward bends such asJanusirsasana, practised gently.[6]
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