Back pain is one of the most common medical problems. About 8 out of 10 people experience back pain at some point in their lives. The good news is that back pain is also one of the most preventable health problems. Regular exercise, weight maintenance and a balanced diet all can keep you healthy. If you have an accident or if age-related symptoms hit, you can manage your back pain with a knowledgeable yoga instructor, the right yoga equipment and the best yoga products.
If you already use your yoga equipment on a daily basis, you have an advantage. Yoga strengthens your back and stretches your tight muscles. Yoga is good for you, and now there’s proof.
Back to Basics
Sometimes, yogis and yoginis get questioning looks from their neighbors and medical professionals when espousing the health benefits of yoga. But when even the Mayo Clinic (one of the most traditional and conservative institutes in the medical community) says yoga can alleviate back pain — it’s hard for even the most biased skeptic to argue.
The best yoga products are those that support a basic daily routine that builds:
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Stability
- Balance
Yoga Equipment Basics
Three Minute Egg ® yoga blocks can help you work out the
kinks and unhappy spots in your back. In fact, owner Jason Scholder invented
his ergonomic yoga prop for exactly this reason: After years of back pain, he believed
there had to be a better way to stretch out his back. The yoga Eggs offer a
stunning combination of support, comfort and protection while you’re doing both
dynamic and restorative postures.
Other yoga equipment and everyday products that can induce happy back syndrome include:
- An inversion table
- Ergonomic chairs (or a couple of yoga Eggs behind your back in a chair!)
- Lumbar support for your car (some people use their yoga Eggs in the car, too!)
- Extra-sticky yoga mat (we like Jade Mats)
- Straps (the HastaPada Yoga Belt is out favorite)
- Balance ball
Yoga Poses for Happy Backs
While the deep breathing, relaxing meditation and general physical benefits of yoga all contribute to a healthy body and a happy back, some poses and yoga equipment are ideal for building a strong back. Also depending on the specific problem you are experiencing, some yoga poses will work better than others for you. Consult your doctor and your yoga teacher before starting any new exercises or a new yoga practice. For now, you can try these poses if you are experiencing mild back pain:
- Supine Hamstring Stretch with a Strap
- Reclining Twist
- Thread the Needle
- Pigeon
- Sphinx
- Down Dog (modified with hands on the back of a chair as needed)
So spread the word. Almost anyone with back pain can find relief through a regular yoga practice, particularly when using Three Minute Egg ® yoga blocks.
Bonus! DVD Preview
Preview our upcoming DVD series. The Healthy Spine series shows you how yoga, with the yoga Eggs, can help you maintain a healthy back and spine.