My Backbend

This is my first (or probably fifth) attempt at a backbend. Someone sent me an email saying put a large pillow where your back will land. I used 2 large double duvets and pillows. It definately helped. It took some of the scariness out of it and it helped me improve.
Since doing it that way and getting my confidence up, I started to go as slowly as possible, really stretching through my back. The problem was I was stretching, but when I got to the point where I bend my knees, I was just falling and losing all the arch on my back. Thus landing on my head haha.
I have finished my exams now, so I am going to practice every day!
I have a few other things which I have been working on too, so I will post them soon.

This is my bridge so far

I am almost there, I can now get my arms straight and sometimes my legs straight, but when I tried the first time I fell over. My arms still aren't vertical though. I still need to keep pushing upwards and backwards in the bridge.

I wasn't quite ready in this pic, but my camera only has a timer of 10 seconds, which isn't long enough.

For the last few days too, I have been walking down the wall into the bridge, and now I can actually land in the bridge instead of just collapsing

My arm isn't straight on this one

Finally, my arms are straight. Now i just need to get them vertical!!!

My poor attempt at the splits

Well this a picture of my current flexibility to show my progress.

My Left Leg

My Right Leg