Yoga Poses For Back Pain

For all of you who suffer from chronic back pain yoga may be the very thing you need to reduce your pain, increase your flexibility and even help things like depression.  Here are three quick and accessible poses even a rank beginner can do to see some benefits

Down Dog

Downward Facing Dog or down dog for short, is probably one of the most well known yoga poses.  Part of this is because it is not too physically demanding for a beginner to do.  Since I hate step by step written directions, I’m including youtube videos to help you learn each of these poses.

Plank

Plank pose is another very popular yoga pose for back pain.  Without any variation, plank pose can look very physically demanding.  However, as any good yoga instructor will tell you, it can be modified to be just as effective for a beginner without the necessity to strain as can happen in the unmodified version.  Eventually, the student will find them doing the full pose but should not feel less for not doing it initially.  Take a look at this video to see what I’m talking about.

Camel

Camel pose can be a bit more challenging but still very doable if you make slight modifications as recommended in this video.  It’s a great pose for strengthening the muscles of the lower back.  Make sure you take your time doing any of these poses but especially the camel pose.  The maximum benefit is achieved by spending some time with the pose and getting your body settled into it.  Don’t rush and remember that yoga is as much a reflective exercise as it is a physical one.

Additional Resources
Yoga Journal Videos

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