Yoga Poses for Spine Health
So what is Yoga? That is a tough question to answer as yoga can accomplish different goals for each individual. A basic definintion of yoga might be, a system of developing the mind and body using natural methods. Using these natural methods Yoga helps to improve the person's confidence, discipline, and fitness, which will leave them as a more contented individual. There are literaly thousands of different asanas, (positons or techniques) and the proper ones for each person must be determined on an individual basis with the help of a trained instructor. You will find there are yoga positions for beginners, to more advanced techniques for the masters of yoga. Retreats dedicated soley to yoga can be found just about anywhere in the world. As you do your research into yoga you will find information about clothes for yoga, yoga books, yoga mats, yoga videos, and the list goes on.
Yoga Poses for Spine HealthDid you know that many of the basic Yoga poses are already in common use by physical therapists and other rehabilitation professionals? If you have had physical therapy for back pain, then many of the Yoga that you are beginning to practice will seem very familiar. Good spine health is a big part of our health. Yoga poses will help strengthen the back and ease any back pain you might have already, or keep you from having back pain. One very easy pose that will help your spine is a call the Cat. It works just like it sounds. You place yourself on the floor with all fours. Be sure your calves and feet are relaxed and your knees, hips, and shoulders are at 90-degree angles. Drop you belly to the floor while inhaling and look up over your head. Push into your hands, exhaling while you arch your spine to the sky with your head looking at your belly. Exhale while you are doing this portion. Whenever you can, link the postures with the correct breathing. You need to hold these two positions for five to ten seconds. Another popular and easy Yoga pose to help your back and spine is called the Cobra. This Yoga pose is easy to do and if you have trouble with doing it the traditional way, you can substitute elbows for hands. Lay flat on your stomach placing your palms down on the ground either underneath of the shoulders or just wider than the shoulders. Elbows should be back and out with the body relaxed. Raise your body allowing the back to arch and hold this pose for 10 to 15 seconds. If this is uncomfortable for you, you can use your elbows instead of hands and it will give your body a gentler stretch. This will stretch the abdominal muscles while the back muscles are relaxing. Slowly lower the upper part of your body to the ground. This last pose seems to be the one that would be the easiest to start with. It’s simple, easy to do, but effective. Lie flat on your back and relax your body. Slowly, bring up one knee towards the chest while placing your hands underneath the knee or the back of the leg. Now pull gently toward your chest. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds. You should feel the stretch in the hamstring, don’t lower your leg to the floor until you feel this stretch. Relax and repeat with the other leg. Practicing these Yoga poses should not cause you any pain or discomfort. It also should not cause tingling or any numbness at all. If any of these should happen while you do your routine, you should move out of the pose slowly, Modifications to make these poses easier for you, like placing a blanket or pillow underneath the back of your knees when stretched out on the floor. A skilled Yoga instructor can help you find the moderate pose that will help if you have had back surgery or have chronic back pain. Yoga is not without it's Christian criticsMany in the Christian circles are dead set against the practice of yoga, citing the Hindu background of yoga and claiming that the practices of yoga are designed to have the practioner become one with other gods. It is considered to be another facet of the new age movement by many Christians. Christians hold to one God in three "persons" (The Trinity) Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to give recognition to another so called god is considered to be blasphemy. There have been attempts to create what is being called "Christian Yoga" but even this is being opposed in many circles. Better Your Health will be doing further research into this matter, and by signing up for our newsletter, you will be notified as soon as the material is availiable.
We at Better Your Health hope you have found this article to be very helpful in your research into Yoga. Please feel free to check out the many other articles we have on this site about Yoga. Click here to add this page to your favorites. Be sure to check out Better Your Health for more Health Related Topics. |
BRAND
NEW
Sign Up NOW
and start Receiving
the Free Newsletter
from Better Your Health