Relax the Back: Poses to Ease Low Back Pain

Once word got out around the office that I taught yoga, I became the resident fitness guru of sorts. I get asked about everything from inner foot stretches to loosening up tight hips, but most frequently people are interested in ways to ameliorate back pain and stiffness.

While I'm no doctor and these poses are certainly not the end-all-be-all for back issues, I am certain that sitting hunched over a desk for eight plus hours can cause a host of tightness and pain in the low back. Since everything in the body is interconnected, back pain can also be caused by a tightness in the hip flexors (or psoas), causing a swayback.

Here are two poses, Modified Locust Pose and Bridge Pose that stretch both the low back and the hip flexors. Hold each pose roughly 20 seconds and repeat 3-4 times keeping the breath steady. End with the counter-stretch. For maximum benefit, repeat daily.