The Spine Yoga
Yoga is one of the best forms of exercise to ensure that you never suffer from backache. The deep stretching and spinal alignment techniques used in Yoga ensure that the spine is maintained in a flexible condition and the muscles of the back and abdomen are strengthened.
Some of the Yoga postures that are especially beneficial for the spine and back include the Trikona Asana (The Triangle), Tada Asana (Mountain Pose), Ek Pada Asana (One Legged Posture), Bala Asana (Child Pose), Bhujanga Asana (Cobra Pose) and the Parivritta Parshvakona Asana (Half Revolved Belly Pose).
Types of Yoga Poses for Maintaining a Healthy Spine
Trikona Asana
The Trikona Asana or the Triangle Pose helps to stretch and relax the back muscles and stimulates blood flow in them. It also improves the flexibility of the vertebrae and provides relief from lower back pain.
Tada Asana
The Tada Asana or Mountain or Mountain Pose is a static pose that enables one to identify any postural defects that can lead to spine and back problems. Regular practice of the Mountain Pose helps to correct poor posture and relieve back pain.
Ek Pada Asana
The Ek pada Asana or One-Legged Posture is a slightly advanced technique that strengthens the hips and the lower back and also helps to promote balance.
Bala Asana
The Bala Asana or Child Pose is an easy posture that stretches the spine and helps to relax the muscles of the neck, shoulders, back and thighs.
Bhujanga Asana
The Bhujanga Asana or Cobra Pose is so called because it resembles a cobra that is about to strike. This graceful posture promotes tremendous strength in the spine, lower back, hands, chest and abdomen. Regular practice can also correct any problems caused due to displaced spinal discs.
Parivritta Parshvakona Asana
The Parivritta Parshvakona Asana or Half-Revolved Belly Pose is a gentle and relaxing pose that stretches the oblique muscles in the back and abdomen. It also strengthens the hips and helps to restore strength and flexibility to the spine.
Please keep in mind that Yoga exercises are most beneficial when performed under the supervision of a trained Yoga teacher. If you experience any sharp pain while performing any of these exercises, you should stop and consult your Yoga teacher. Yoga, unlike many forms of exercise, does not consider pain to be an integral part of becoming fit. Yoga movements are designed to be gentle and flowing; so if you experience any pain, chances are that you are doing something wrong.
