The bends

Reading a fascinating section about back bends in Donna Farhi's book, yoga, mind, body and spirit. Seemingly there is a muscle, called the hyoid, that connects the back of the base of the skull with the top of the sternum. So to create a long neck and to avoid compressing the cervical spine you need to keep your chin level. Donna Farhi also has a lovely instruction for back bends that could be applied to pretty much all core work. You imagine that you are drawing your intestines and stomach in towards your spine so that they support your spine rather than hanging off it. Very useful for plank, chaturanga and pretty much any balance.