Back pain and yoga

When my back pain began, I had to give up yoga. I could not do the sun salutations, and I COULD NOT do upward dog. Wow.

I think this was due to inflammation in the area, muscle tension and angry nerves. In fact it took a number of years until I could do any yoga at all. Years of physiotherapy... and lots and lots of money spent on this physiotherapy.

However, now when I find I have muscle tension, back pain and particularily nerve pain - yoga is my treatment.

So once you get your back pain under control - which to me means no more muscle spasms, and you are able to move around (the pain may be there, but be more manageable) - you can start to do yoga.

I find yoga finds things in your body, that would likely pop up as issues in the future. It releases so many things. And for me, my never pain disappears. This is magical to me.

If you are able to bend over while hinging at your hips, and arch your back slightly - I think you are ready for yoga. And I whole heartedly recommend it. However, listen to your body. Yoga, puts you in sometimes uncomfortable positions... these should in no way be painful. Know the difference.