| Yoga increases flexibility by stretching and lengthening | | | | sure to get in-person instruction from a competent |
| the muscles of the body. Stretching is a big help for | | | | teacher, before attempting any yoga pose. |
| any kind of back pain. Yoga poses require students to | | | | An emphasis on yoga poses (asanas) is a science of |
| stretch and hold their bodies in a variety of ways that | | | | good posture. Yoga instruction teaches the proper |
| lengthen interconnecting muscles. | | | | way to move between poses and hold a pose during |
| Instead of just stretching the area that hurts, yoga | | | | class. Yet, the posture practice transcends the class |
| affects the entire body. When a student decides to | | | | into daily life, which teaches us to sit and stand in |
| make yoga practice a regular part of his or her | | | | healthy ways, during the course of a day. |
| lifestyle, all the muscles of the body learn to work | | | | These lessons provide a comprehensive program of |
| together. This results in providing longer lasting relief, | | | | movements to stretch, strengthen, and retrain all areas |
| which increases with regular yoga practice. Stretching | | | | of the body. Basically the body is being taught how to |
| also increases circulation, which relieves back pain. | | | | move again. |
| In daily life, the muscles that support the back rarely | | | | For example: Pelvic tilts, or the bridge pose, warm up |
| get properly worked out. For proper support of the | | | | the hips and lower back before progressing to more |
| back, many muscles around the core of the body | | | | complicated postures. The cat-cow pose, and |
| must be strong. Yoga strengthens these muscles and | | | | downward facing dog, are also recommended for |
| brings muscle groups into balance. | | | | back pain. |
| For most people who spend much of their day seated, | | | | Cautiously practicing the forward spinal stretching of |
| facing their computer, and leaning slightly forward, their | | | | the plow pose, with proper guidance, relieves |
| hips will take on much of the pressure. The hips are | | | | discomfort in both the upper and lower back and |
| also staying mostly stationary and locked in position. | | | | increases spinal flexibility. This pose is sometimes |
| When the hips become weak and stiff from this | | | | recommended to accompany the shoulder stand pose. |
| day-to-day atrophying, proper posture and support is | | | | As previously mentioned, the triangle pose helps back |
| lost. Yoga poses, such as the triangle pose, open up | | | | pain and posture. This pose is easier for less flexible |
| the hips when properly done. Novice yogis must make | | | | yoga practitioners. |