Back Pain Caused by Bad Posture? Try Yoga

Back Pain? Bad Posture? Sedentary Lifestyle? Try Yoga!

Do you sit at a computer all day? Do you find yourself hunched by the end of the day? Then your poor posture could be storing up back pain for the future, if it's not causing you problems already.

We find it easier to sit up straight in the morning when we're alert and awake, but as the day progresses, and particularly in the afternoon our posture tends to sag. By the end of the day, we have back ache, neck ache, stiff shoulders and probably a head ache as well, just for good measure. There are exercises that you can do at your desk to help ease the problem which focus on stretching and generally warming up and loosening the back muscles. These are great for short term relief, and should be used in conjunction with, but not in the place of regular, more sustained muscle development.

One of the best ways to improve posture is to develop the core stability muscles. These muscles are found deep within the abdomen and connect the spine, chest and shoulders. They are the foundation on which other muscles build and are developed from. Having good core stability will:

Improve posture and so relieve pain
Enhance physical performance
Help prevent injury
All of which improve quality of life

Many people consider that strong core muscles are epitomized by having a "six pack". This is not necessarily true as a six pack is created mainly by over development of the rectus abdominus muscle, and has little to do with the main muscle of the abdomen, the diaphragm. In yogic terms, it is this muscle that is truly at your core, for it is this which initiates breath and so by extension, life. A core stability workout yoga style not only aims to flatten your stomach by strengthening your core muscles, but also to enhance your mind and breathing, and with it, the quality of your life. There is no quick way to obtain core stability, but yoga is a progressive and fun way to start.

What is Yoga?

Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit and is an ancient Indian tradition, referring to the union of mind body and spirit. Today, there are many different branches of yoga, the most widely known being hatha yoga which focuses on exercising the body whilst controlling breathing. Other yoga branches such as kundalini emphasise chanting, meditation and visualisations. As the branches can be studied completely independently of each other, you can select with which branch you are most comfortable.

Still Skeptical?

If you haven't tried yoga either in isolation, or as part of a structured workout, you will be surprised. Yoga is completely flexible (as will you be if you decide to try it!), and the poses can be carried out in quick succession to promote cardio vascular exercise, or more slowly to build stamina. Novices can start with gentle exercises to work on posture to build up the vital core muscles, whilst those after a dynamic and more physically demanding workout can try power yoga, based largely on ashtanga yoga, which many top athletes incorporate into their training schedule.

Yoga contains something for everyone, and if you do suffer from poor posture, it may be the first step towards it's correction.

By Victoria de Brun

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