"The Roll Back" or Chakrasana

It is only this year I gained the confidence to do "drop backs" on my own in back bending with the help of one teacher-- Govinda Kai. And now, Chakrasana or "The roll back." A pose I would normally ask for help (in a Mysore class) to link me to my Chaturanga usually in the finishing sequence. I am able to do now with some degree of boldness. Thanks to the guidance of another one of my teachers named James Figueira here at the Yoga Shala in Singapore. It's still a little unpolished with the many attempts I take before finding that determination to finally flip over. I'll take this as a stepping stone for my body to remember and eventually refine.


The process taught to me is coming into Halasana pose with hands beside your ears (as if doing a backbend), with the legs and feet wide apart like Upavishta Konasana, and then bringing the chin towards the chest (whilst keeping the gaze there and not looking up) to round the back. And then it's all about finding the "momentum" to lift the hips up, pressing shoulders down and lifting the body with the arms and hands to bring the heels of the feet down all in one motion and without hesitation.

The reason for the "wide legs" school of thought is a basis on how compact your forward bend is. Unlike my body which is not exactly that "pressed together" yet, the "legs apart" theory in preparing to do the pose makes a lot of sense to me.. When the pose becomes more and more comfortable, you can start bringing the feet closer together.



I forgot to mention too that my Marichyasana A, and B are getting so much better in terms of binding. C, and D are still a bit of a challenge, but there is so much improvement now compared to before especially with the help of the only three people who are able to bind me even for just a breath. Thank you Hoze Arando, Jessica Blanchard and James Figueira. At least now I know how it feels like.


As always, I am excited about my new found discoveries and I look forward to where my next practice and next teacher will take me.. It just feels like my body is slowly unraveling on it's own.

Thank you patience.. :)

When in Singapore and you need a yoga space with knowledgeable and well trained teachers for an Ashtanga Mysore practice, visit the Yoga Shala. Located at 11 Yan Kit road (off Craig Road) or check out their website at www.theyogashala.com.sg

I highly recommend it!