Question:
It is of course now being aggravated when I practise yoga.
That is lower back pain.
I do not understand how you can work to improve the flexibility and
strength of your back when the simplest of poses seems to cause pain.
The pain is like a seizing up of the lower back which makes it
difficult to straighten or move.
This sounds rather severe and I guess it is when it is at its worst
but I can experience the same discomfort after a long, long walk or
run. The good part of this is that although I have this problem, I am
able to comfortably do many poses while maintaining good form and
control. I pay alot of attention to technique and breathing to ensure
I get the maximum from my workout.
I am trying to figure out how to work the lower back without
overexerting it. This is proving difficult and I was wondering if
anyone could suggest poses, modifications or even stretches that might
help?
Answer:
Power Yoga is total baloney. Yoga has nothing to do with
exercise. Combining yoga and exercise is a waste at best
and excuse/ delusion at worst. Hatha yoga is not simply an easier
way to do aerobics in a trendy way. You will not learn
hatha yoga from Power Yoga. It is important to hold a pose
and rest. If you do not do this you will not learn to move
energy. If you are substituting yoga for aerobics you will
simply have a watered down workout. I exercise a lot but
do not confuse exercise with hatha yoga. The worst thing
about Power Yoga is that you think you are doing yoga
and are not. So you tell your friends stories about what
you mistake for yoga. Quit this fad after awhile
from little or no benefit and say you too once did yoga.
Pass out wrong information. I am not saying you will get
no benefit. There is benefit. But not as much as aerobics
and no hatha yoga benefit.
Get a checkup on your back by a doctor - your back is nothing
to take chances on. Of the 3 books I have on lower back pain they
all emphasize taking work off your lower back by stengthing your
stomach muscles.
Also, never go from a sitting position to a lying position on your
back straight backward. Always lower with more strength on
one side or the other - this is particularly important if you have
lower back pain and if you are older.
Yoga Journal Magazine on the web on back pain.
http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/225_1.cfm
http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/234_1.cfm
YREC main page
http://www.yrec.org/publications.html#VI
http://www2.vhihealthe.com/topic/topic100587698
Precautions
People with injuries, medical conditions, or spinal problems should
consult a doctor before beginning yoga. Those with medical conditions
should find a yoga teacher who is familiar with their type of problem
and who is willing to give them individual attention. Pregnant women can
benefit from yoga, but should always be guided by an experienced
teacher. Certain yoga positions should not be performed with a fever, or
during menstruation.
Beginners should exercise care and concentration when performing yoga
postures, and not try to stretch too much too quickly, as injury could
result. Some advanced yoga postures, like the headstand and full lotus
position, can be difficult and require strength, flexibility, and
gradual preparation, so beginners should get the help of a teacher
before attempting them.
Yoga is not a competive sport; it does not matter how a person does in
comparison with others, but how aware and disciplined one becomes with
one's own body and limitations. Proper form and alignment should always
be maintained during a stretch or posture, and the stretch or posture
should be stopped when there is pain, dizziness, or fatigue. The mental
component of yoga is just as important as the physical postures.
Concentration and awareness of breath should not be neglected. Yoga
should be done with an open, gentle, and non-critical mind; when one
stretches into a yoga position, it can be thought of accepting and
working on one's limits. Impatience, self-criticism and comparing
oneself to others will not help in this process of self-knowledge. While
performing the yoga of breathing (pranayama) and meditation (dyana), it
is best to have an experienced teacher, as these powerful techniques can
cause dizziness and discomfort when done improperly.
