Yoga Information
Home | Yoga Bookstore | Yoga Clothes & Accessories | Yoga Affirmations | Yoga Videos |
Path to God - Spiritual Journeys | Wai Lana Yoga | Yoga Weight Loss Secrets | Contact

Best Yoga For Life | Yoga Information






Eight Yoga Exercises For the Lower Back

Back pain relief through yoga...
ABOUT EXERCISING FOR BACK RELIEF

Some people think that rest is best thing for a painful back, but actually, what your back really needs when it hurts is exercise. Why? Regular exercise relieves back pain by strengthening and stretching the muscles that support the spine. This also helps to prevent future injury.

As with most muscles, you must use them or lose them: the more you rest, the weaker your back gets, even if it is hurt. Studies have actually shown that you can cure your back pain quicker and get back to your regular activities with just two days of rest. Of course, you should consult your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

YOGA EXERCISES FOR YOUR BACK

A good, regular yoga practice will go far in removing the stress and tension that sometimes cause mild back pain. In fact, studies have shown that yoga is the number one most effective exercise for relieving back pain. NOTE:  Not all yoga poses relieve back pain, and some can in fact aggravate existing pain. It is important to learn which poses will be most helpful in relieving back pain. It is alo highly suggest that you do these exercises under the supervision of a certified yoga instructor. If you encounter any problems with these poses, you should consult an expert.

Even just one or two sessions with a yoga instructor is useful. An instructor can correct your form and posture during poses.

Here are some of the best yoga poses for relieving back pain. Each pose should be held from five to ten seconds, depending upon your level of comfort, and should be done on a mat or other soft, supportive surface.

CORPSE:  Lie flat on your back in a relaxed position, arms resting at your sides, palms down, and legs lying naturally, with knees turned out slightly. If it hurts your back to have your knees turned outward, do this pose with knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Breathe in and out for a few seconds while allowing any tension to leave the body.

CAT STRETCH:  Start out on your hands and knees with a flat back. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders with fingers spread. Knees should be directly under the hips. Head is held loosely so that you are looking at the floor between your hands. Inhale, and then as you exhale, arch your back toward the ceiling, tuck your chin in to your chest so that you are looking at your navel, and tuck your tailbone underneath. Hold, then release back into the original position.

Yoga Journal

Yoga Journal

Your guide to more healthful living. Stretch your body, mind, and soul with Yoga Journal. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced practitioner of Yoga, you'll find plenty of useful information in every issue that is aligned with your needs.


WIND-RELEASING POSE:  Lie flat on your back as in Corpse pose. As you inhale, bend your right knee, place your hands just below the knee, and draw your leg towards your chest. Your left leg should remain flat on the floor. Exhale and bring your forehead up to touch your knee. Inhale, and then as you exhale, return to your original position. Repeat with the other leg.

SAGE TWIST:  Warning for this pose - this pose involves twisting your back, so take particular care not to twist too far or you risk aggravating any existing back pain. This should be a gentle stretch; twist just as far as is comfortable. Sit on the floor with both legs out in front of you. Bend your right knee, lift your right leg over your left, and place your right foot on the floor next to your left knee. Sitting with spine straight, place your left elbow on the right side of your right knee. Bend your left arm so that your left fingertips are touching your right hip, while at the same time, twisting to look over your right shoulder. This is where you need to be careful not to twist too far. Hold for a few seconds, release, and repeat on the opposite side.

PALM TREE:  Stand with feet facing forward, arms at your sides, weight distributed evenly on both feet. Raise both arms over your head, interlock your fingers, and turn your hands so that your palms are facing upward. Next, place your palms on your head and turn your head so that you are looking slightly upward. Stretch your arms upwards, and at the same time, come up onto your toes if you can do so without pain. Stretch your entire body upward and hold, if you can. Some people have difficulty balancing during this pose, so just do the stretching part if you need to.

FISH POSE:  Lie on your back with knees bent and arms at your side. Arch your back as far as you comfortably can and raise it off the ground by pushing the floor with your elbows. If you can, tilt your head backwards and rest the crown of your head on the floor. Breathe deeply from the diaphragm and hold pose for one minute if you can.

LOCUST:  Lie face down with arms at the side, palms down, and elbows slightly bent with fingers pointing towards the feet. Raise your legs and thighs as high off the ground as possible without causing your back any pain. Hold for one second and repeat up to twelve times. This can be a vigorous exercise so you must take care to strain already injured muscles.

BENDING FORWARD POSTURE:  Stand up straight with feet together and arms hanging loosely along your sides. Breathe in deeply and raise your arms straight above your head. While breathing out, bend forward and touch your toes if you can. If you can't reach your toes, grab hold of your ankles or calves. To complete the pose, you should touch your head to your knees, but this may be too difficult for many who suffer from lower back pain. Your movements during this pose should be smooth, not jerky.

About the author:  Shelley Hitz is a Licensed Physical Therapist and Certified NASM Personal Trainer. Sign up for her free Exercise Advice journal at www.abs-exercise-advice.com/journal.html.



I Love Yoga .Com



News about Yoga and Back Pain


About - News & Issues (blog)

Yoga Banishes Back Pain
About - News & Issues (blog)
When it comes to easing chronic low back pain in minority populations, yoga may make for a sound alternative to standard treatment. ...



TheMedGuru

The healing power of yoga for low back pain
Los Angeles Times
At the end of the study, 73% of the yoga group said they had overall improvement in back pain, compared with 27% of the control group. ...
Yoga can reduce chronic back painHindustan Times
For Your HealthFOXNews
Yoga helps alleviate chronic back pains: StudyTheMedGuru

all 13 news articles »


Brisbane Times

Back pain breakthrough
Brisbane Times
Cheap and easy ... stretching and exercise better treatment for chronic back pain than invasive surgery. As back pain has become an increasingly common ...

and more »


Dr. Cutler

Study: Yoga decreases back pain
Dr. Cutler
While low back pain is a common problem in the US, using alternative and complimentary therapies like yoga is uncommon among minorities and individuals with ...



Jon Gosselin Takes Up Yoga So He Can Sleep on a Pile of Money More Comfortably
The Spoof (satire)
Jon Gosselin has taken up Yoga lately. Discovering that it eases his back pain he suddenly developed. "I noticed the back pain shortly after I withdrew all ...

and more »


Linda J. Buch Get a specific diagnosis for your sciatic pain
Denver Post
A: Sciatica is a general term for pain that radiates from the lower back and down the leg along the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body. ...

and more »


Bending around yoga
Baruch College The Ticker
Gurus of yoga claim that people with persistent back pain can find relief after backward and forward bends, but in this situation consulting the doctor ...



MiamiHerald.com

Alternative healing helps Miami Dolphins' Ricky Williams stay fit
MiamiHerald.com
The twice-weekly yoga. The new water-based energy drink Evolv that's sold online -- he ``swears by it'' after he drank three bottles before the Saints game ...

and more »


Yoga may be able to reduce chronic low back pain
HealthJockey.com
Low back pain is known to be widespread in the United States thereby resulting in considerable disability and cost to society. Individuals from low-income, ...



Yoga alleviates pain caused by chronic back disorders, study finds
Workers Comp Forum
Individuals who practice yoga show greater improvement in overcoming low back pain than people who are treated conventionally, according to a report. ...


Google News




home | site map | Privacy Policy
© 2009 www.bestyogalife.info * | * | * Contact