Backbending Bench

The backbending bench is a wonderful tool/prop for yoga. I had wanted one for quite some time and finally, my dear life partner, Bob, got around to building one for me. Years ago Bob was a professional carpenter so, of course, I had total faith in his ability to build one.

All over the internet you can find websites that expound the many benefits of the backbending bench. I think that initially when you hear the name you think of an apparatus that is will assist in opening the heart/chest area of the body and also alleviating back pain.  This would be a very correct assumption.  However, this bench is reported to have other theraputic benefits as well. For example, it aids in stretching and toning the abdominals, stretches the shoulders as well as the chest, helps with lessening menstrual cramps and it may be of benefit for those with Scoliosis.

I am enjoying other attributes of this bench.     I can use it for supported     setu bandha sarvangasnana (bridge pose), Supta virasana (supported/reclining) hero's pose and, a support matsayasana (fish pose) to mention a few. Also, although I have not used it as such, it can be a great prop for assisted down dog and many seated forward bends.

Before Bob constructed this bench he incorporated two designs : Yoga Props  and this fold away bench  .

The time consuming and most difficult part of this project that Bob encountered was making the pattern upon which to build the bench from.  It took hours!  Actually, it took days. 

However, once this was done the creating/making of the bench was a relatively smooth

undertaking.    

 

I am quite enjoying using the bench. And....

I like how it folds up and out of the way as well. 

 

Comments

[sophie]

wonderful article, Lori! Bob did such a great job, especially with the fold-away part. Enjoy your heart-opening practice.

[Bonnie]

This is such an ingenious design! I am truly impressed with Bob's craftsmanship. Beautiful article, Lori. Is he taking orders ;-)?

[Lori M]

My yoga teacher checks out this blog frequently. He emailed me the other day and was interested to know what I have noticed from using the bench. I hadn't really thought to put this in words when I orginally did the article. I really should have, but I am going to do it here.

My experience with the bench has been a little more limited than I would have wished due to external influences and a lack of time for a regular asana practice however I have noticed the following (so far):
1. The bench is great for a restorative practice which I am coming to love more and more
2. I am experiencing greater spinal flexability/mobility
3. The bench is great for opening the chest area and at the same time finding/accomodating comfortable space for breathing (in urdhva muka svanasana, Urdhva Dhanurasana, etc. I don't breath as deeply and hence my breathing becomes short and almost frantic) and is resulting in me beginning to truly enjoy doing backbending poses without a prop.

Bonnie, I would live if I could get Bob to go into production with these benches. It would be great. I would like if he could find a way to 'customize'the length of the bench for shorter or taller individuals. You can see from one of the pictures that I have inlcuded in the article that I am using blocks at my feet in order to extend further over the bench and experience a greater opening.

[Lori M]

I wanted to thank a person who really helped me to get this bench made and that person is Katie and her dear husband Burley. Burley actually traced one, the solid type, on newspaper and taped it all together. Katie, who is also a Yogalilan, mailed me the tracing and also sent me diagrams via email with some dimensions. Without her assistance I don't know that this would have been as possible and undertaken as it was.

So kudos to both you dears from Bob and myself.

[Carol M.]

Was just wondering if Bob would consider selling the plans for the bench he made?

[H.P.Ajita Prasad]

Hi,
I have come from India visiting my son and daughter and their family.We go back after few weeks.
I saw Backbending Bench on Internet.I am a heart patient too.After going back to India I want get
one done like this.I will be much obliged if you can kindly send me some manufacturing dimensions
of this Bench.

Thanking you,
Regards,

H.P.Ajita Prasad.06.05.08

[David Hoppy]

Hi,
I'm new to yoga and plan to attend classes. I have back pain that I deal with through stretching exercises. I saw your post for the Backbending Bench that Bob built and just like one of the other posts I would be interested in receiving plans to construct one of my own. Please let me know if this is possible.

Sincere regards, David Hoppy

[Sandra Ray]

I would also be interested in having plans or dimensions sent to me. Please let me know if this is possible.

Thank you
Sandra

[joe]

Sandy,

I was impressed by Bob's work, my wife reciently had back surgery and I would like to make her a back bend bench. I too was once a carpenter and posses the skills to make the bench but I am interested in the curve radius as well as the angle of the bench. Any chance Bob would share his plans?

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Joe

[Ryan]

Another bench dimension request. Looks very nice!

Ryan

[sophie]

hi all,
I just noticed these recent comments. Thanks for coming by to the blog, but I regret to say that Lori has not been participating on the yogalila blog for some years, so I am not certain whether she is able to respond to your requests.
thanks,
Sophie

[Lora-Lynn Rice]

Lori.

Your bench is exactly what I am looking for. Has your husband created instructions and a pattern that he will sell? I have been unsuccessful finding them anywhere else.

I did not see a way to email you directly, are you still frequenting this site?

[Andy Marr]

Years have passed but I came across your (excellent) site by chance and love the look of Bob´s bench. Would he by any chance consider sending me a copy of his plans or dimensions (particularly the radius for the backbend)? I´d pay for them willingly.
Cheers,
Andy

[chanting hub]

Hi Lori,

How wonderful to have a partner build you a backbending bench! Please tell more about how this works for menstrual cramps? I normally do a variety of seated forward bend postures per yoga therapy philosophy and had never considered back bends. Would love to hear more.

[Dan]

Has anyone found a good set of plans for a back ending bench? I'm very interested in building one for my wife as a birthday gift!!

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