Urdhva Danurasana is an advanced back bend and preparation would take place over many classes. It requires that the whole body be arched and lifted against gravity, with only hands and feet on the floor, whereas other back bends often keep more of the upper or lower body on the ground. It is more intense than many of the asanas in the backward bending group, requiring a stronger opening in chest and shoulders, as well as the strength in the arms for the initial lift. Therefore they are all useful asanas to build strength, and gently open the body in preparation.

Supta Virasana, Sethu Bandhasana, Bhujangasana, Salabhasana variations, Matsyandrasana and Ustrasana are all useful preparatory poses (and strong back bending asanas, which also require preparation). Preceding a backbend in class, lateral stretches (e.g. Trikonasana) and twists (e.g. sukhasana twist) are useful to warm up and lengthen spinal muscles and ligaments, it is especially important to begin to warm and open the thoracic spine, which has to bend from forward to back. Back bends are usually not sequenced at the beginning of the class for this reason.

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