Forward bends - fundamental principles

Forward bends are typically thought of as poses that direct our awareness away from the outside world and toward the inner world. While the back of the body is being stretched in forward bends, particularly the backs of the legs, our attention should continually be focused on the front torso.

Always tip into a forward bend from the groins, being sure to maintain the length of the front torso, especially the lower belly between the pubic bone (the front bottom of the pelvis) and the navel. As soon as you begin to feel this area shorten, you should stop the forward movement, lift out of the pose slightly, reestablish the length of the lower belly, and then try to bend forward again

• forward extension – Elongates spine. spinal column will be your primary line of energy; two lines of energy radiating outward from your center;  bend from the hips;  calming and grounding by nature
• Passive and quietening
• Utilise gravity to stretch muscle groups
• Introverting poses, reduces external stimuli
• Work on two main areas the spine extension, less so the legs 
• Makes muscles supple and strong
• stretches spinal nerves, circulation, sense of balance, centre of gravity, improves circulation;
• Increases flexibility.
• Good pose to rest in after strenuous poses. 
• Nurturing; excellent for calming the nervous system. Reduces fatigue and anxiety.  
• Compression asanas are excellent for constipation and for chronic gas.
• Therapeutic for asthma, high blood pressure, infertility, osteoporosis, and sinusitis aids in the healing of anxiety, nervousness, sciatica, and muscle spasm. 
• Relieves headache and insomnia