Easing Back Pain
Recognizing the Problem
We are spending too much time sitting at desks, or
standing at work. Our backs were not designed for modern life!
But here we are; achy, stiff backs. I remember one project I
worked on, the lovely woman sitting next to me kept quietly moaning
to herself in pain. I sent her home with my favorite tape and
next morning she was smiling! Over the last six years, I have
repeated this scenario more times, with more people, than I can
count. It only takes once to experience the difference.
No drugs involved, but it sure is habit forming!
An Alternative
So, what is the magic on the tape? Suspend judgment
for a moment. It is yoga, but not like the yoga you may have seen or
heard horror stories about.
A little background. I first became interested in
yoga in the late 60's. However, I felt that what I was seeing wasn’t
what I was looking for. Twenty years later I met one of the leading
yoga instructors from Australia. She had studied extensively in the
Far East and at that point had been teaching yoga for 40 years. Even
though she was in her 60' she moved with the lightness and grace of
a young ballet dancer. She was perfectly ageless. She confirmed what
I had suspected. This twist-into- -a-pretzel, contortionistic,
competitive, painful "yoga" was not what she knew as yoga either.
Yoga is about relaxing muscles, not stressing them out in
some ego driven competition. If you enjoy this style of yoga, great.
If you are trying to get rid of pain in your back, then try
something more back to basics.
After looking for 30 years, I finally found the yoga
I was looking for. After your first session you will feel like you
did nothing, but your back will feel like new. It is all about
relaxation.
Using Yoga for Round Bodies
The tape I recommend is "Yoga for Round Bodies".
However, you don’t have to be round. You also don’t have to be in
shape. It is not the least bit glitzy. No one wears neon pink
leotards. You won’t be made to feel bad. You won’t have to do things
that are uncomfortable. You won’t do anything that hurts. Afterwards
you will just feel relaxed and rested and peaceful. Your back will
be happier, even through the next day.
 
Yoga for Round Bodies (set-vols.1 & 2)
Volume 1 has two tapes. After using these tapes
myself for over 6 years, I have combined my favorite positions from
the two tapes into my regular routine. It takes 20 to 30 minutes.
You move at your body’s pace. There is time to stretch as your body
wants to stretch. Once per day is ideal for maintaining a happy
back, but you can use it as often or as infrequently as you wish.
Sometimes I have done yoga to start my day, and sometimes as a
lovely way to end it. If you have a life that requires
decompression, this is a very nice way to achieve that.
As an extra treat, take an Epsom salts bath after
yoga, and before bed. Years ago my favorite massage therapist
recommended Epsom salts for achy muscles. It works wonders. Now they
have actually proven, for sports medicine, that yes, it does work.
Of course, finding a good massage therapist is the best treat!!
Considerations
Always ask your Doctor before starting an exercise
program. If you have serious back problems, this may not be for you.
Definitely review the positions with your provider first. Don’t ever
push your back into doing anything it doesn’t want to do.
If it hurts even a tiny little bit, STOP!
If it hurts, something is wrong. Get checked out by
your Doctor.
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