arching back
Curving the spine
Arching back describes the action of bending the spine backward, creating a curve with the chest lifted and shoulders pulled back.
The phrase appears in contexts ranging from yoga and gymnastics to expressions of pain, pleasure, or stretching: The cat arched back luxuriously in the sunlight.
In intimate contexts, arching back often signals arousal or physical response.
- spineColumn of vertebrae
- curveSmooth, angleless line
- stretchPull to extend
- backbendArching spine rearward
- yogaMind-body exercise discipline
cat pose · cobra pose · cat · flexible · contortion · bridge · lumbar · posture · body language · feline · dancer · gymnast · ballet dancer · hollow · extension · thrust · sway · lordosis
- body movementsflexion, bend, twist, standing, extension
- cat traitssilky coat, coat, tabby pattern, claws, long-haired