| There are so many forms of back pain, that it seems | | | | your practice, and do not skip past foundational Yoga |
| impossible for Yoga to help them all. Truthfully, Hatha | | | | instruction. Listed below are details concerning |
| Yoga is great for pain prevention, but it also helps one | | | | Trikonasana, which should help a person experiencing |
| cope with chronic back pain. If your day is filled with | | | | chronic back pain. |
| chronic back pain, less or no pain seems like a miracle. | | | | Trikonasana (Triangle Pose): This is an open twist, |
| On the other hand, long term inflammations and chronic | | | | which is usually practiced from a standing position, but |
| pain can make any form of adjustment or movement | | | | Chair Yoga practitioners may have learned to do this |
| a challenge. | | | | from a seated position. So many muscles are involved |
| What can one do to get enough pain relief to practice | | | | when practicing Trikonasana, that many people forget |
| Hatha Yoga, exercise, or physical therapy? In the case | | | | about the benefits to the skeletal structure. |
| of a person who is in severe pain, no matter what he | | | | To reduce pain in the back, the parts of the skeletal |
| or she does, a physician may recommend a shot of | | | | structure we are concerned with are the spine, |
| marcaine, triamcenalone, or both. There is a school of | | | | shoulders, pelvis, and hip joints. When we consider |
| thought that believes medication should be avoided at | | | | back pain, all of these parts come into play, but we |
| all costs. In reality, pain, and your tolerance of it, will | | | | often forget that hips have limited range of motion |
| make you come to a personal decision quickly. Each | | | | while we move them from side to side. The hips have |
| of us is different, and there is no need to make | | | | great range of motion going into a forward bend, but |
| comparisons. | | | | they are designed for stability more than mobility. |
| Doctors and chiropractors often recommend Yoga for | | | | Forcing the hips into abduction puts excessive torque |
| back pain, but we want to make sure there is a | | | | on the SI joints. |
| doctor's approval before beginning a practice. Once | | | | One method to consider is the use of a chair, tall block, |
| approval is received, it is wise to seek out a | | | | or a short stool while practicing Trikonasana. Forget |
| competent Yoga teacher, with expertise in back pain | | | | the "cookie cutter" photographs of 19 year old models |
| management. If a prospective Yoga teacher shows | | | | performing this posture. Forget the dogma from Yoga |
| no sign of compassion and competence, search until | | | | teachers who want to force your hips to rotate |
| you find one who meets your needs. | | | | forward. Each skeleton is different. When you mindfully |
| With safety in mind, each of us learns to explore the | | | | practice Trikonasana, you gently work the hips, pelvis, |
| body gradually. Never force or lock a joint while | | | | SI joints, and the rest of your spine, to reduce, or |
| practicing Yoga postures. Learn to incorporate Yogic | | | | prevent, pain. |
| breathing techniques, as you become comfortable with | | | | |