Home Blogs Spinal Yoga Poses And Back Problems

Spinal Yoga Poses And Back Problems

Are all spinal yoga postures good for the back?

How, when and who can do spinal yoga poses or who should not do which, depends entirely upon your back problems, your personal level of fitness, and for how long you have been practicing yoga. If you are a novice to yoga, you will have to start slowly and work on easier back exercises and simpler poses before going in for the more complicated spinal poses and back bends. If you've had certain back injuries or have a bad back, you will have to consult a medical practitioner and an experienced, qualified yoga instructor to find out which exercises and poses you should and should not do. There are certainly some yoga poses that you will be advised against.

On the whole, yoga is highly recommended for back ache relief. It increases strength and flexibility, provides relief from pain, and helps you relax. Studies prove that you can incorporate yoga into your treatment plan while curing neck and back injuries. Meditation and breathing exercises will further help you relax, which, in turn, will help decrease the pain.

Some poses may have to be avoided, such as:

1. People suffering from advanced spinal stenosis are advised to avoid poses such as back bends that stretch the spine.
2. People with cervical spinal disorders should not do Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand) and Sirshasana (Headstand).
3. You should work under the guidance of a qualified and experienced yoga instructor. Also, consult a doctor before starting spinal poses, particularly if you have any medical problem.
4. Some back poses which will help you: If you don't have a back problem, then you can try spinal poses, such as the back bends. Start slowly and add more poses as you gain more confidence with yoga. Back bends are excellent spinal poses, which make you stronger and more flexible. These poses align your spine, stretch and strengthen your back and free your spine from built up tension.
5. To begin with never hold the back bends for too long. Since your back is a sensitive area, over exerting it could result in problems. Spinal poses such as Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), Dhanurasana (Bow Pose). Chakrasana (Wheel Pose) and Shalabhasana (Locust Pose) help open up your chest, energize your body and improve your breathing. They also stimulate your digestive and the reproductive organs as well as your uro-genital system.

A list of some the commonest back bends:

1. Standing backward bend
2. Bridge pose
3. Sphinx pose
4. Upward Facing Do posture
5. Cobra pose
6. Cat pose

It's imperative that you consult a doctor and a qualified, experienced yoga teacher to do spinal poses under his / her expert guidance. If you do a spinal pose the wrong way it could result in serious injuries.

• RSS Feeds -
• All posts
• All comments