Back Health - A Simple Guide How Yoga Can Improve Posture and Back Pain

Back Pain

In this day and age, many of us suffer from back pain. Why is this? Let's think about what we do on a daily basis. Many people sit in front of computers most of the day, hunched over while typing and staring at a screen. Others are constantly looking down at their phones the majority of the day, rounding their necks and backs. For some, it might just be sitting at a desk or hunching while driving that causes pain.

Posture

The majority of people actually have improper posture. In America, eighty percent of people suffer from bad posture. One condition is known as kyphosis - which means that there is a curve of fifty degrees or more in the spine-- is very common among older adults. This can be caused by ongoing pressure and bad posture as time goes on.

With this in mind, we should ask ourselves, is there a way to help correct posture and back pain? In fact, for some, even kyphosis can be reversed with a good yoga practice.

Top 3 Yoga Poses to Improve Back Pain and Posture

Yoga is a great way to improve posture. Yoga helps to stretch out the back muscles, reducing back pain. Through practicing twists and backbends, you can begin to open up the spine and strengthen the back muscles, making it easier to hold the proper posture. Check out these poses below to start improving your posture today!

Cat/Cow Pose

Poses like Cat/Cow can really help to give a gentle stretch throughout the lower back, breaking down scar tissues and releasing muscle strain. Cat/Cow can be done by starting on the hands and knees, and with each inhale, arching the back to look up to the sky. With each exhale, you would round the back, tucking the chin to the chest. This repeated movement is great for the back and for releasing tension in the body.

Plank Pose

Yoga can also strengthen your core which helps to hold your posture better and keep your spine happy and healthy. Try Plank Pose to help strengthen your core and keep your back strong. To do plank pose, you would come into a plank on your yoga mat, bringing your hands directly beneath the shoulders and stretching your legs behind you with the toes tucked. This pose is great for increasing strength in your torso and protects your spine.

Half Lord of Fish Pose

This pose is a twist, and twisting is great for increasing mobility in the spine. To do this pose, you would start with your feet out in front of you. From here, you would bring the right leg up and cross it over the left, bringing the heel to the outside of your hip. You would then inhale to bring your right arm up and exhale to take it around and back behind you. On the next inhale, you would bring your left arm up, and on the exhale, you would bring the forearm or elbow to the outside of the right thigh to twist. With each inhale, you would sit taller, and on the exhales, you would have the opportunity to twist further if you chose to. Inhale to unwind and then repeat on the other side. Twists help to drain toxins from the body and create more flexibility in your spine.

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With so many amazing benefits, it makes sense why yoga promotes back health and helps to improve quality of life overall. If you suffer from back pain or poor posture, yoga might be a great practice for you.

Namaste.