Regardless how active or inactive you are, back pain will surface. Second to the cold, it's the most common health problem we all have.
The solution is not to reach for the painkillers in the medicine cabinet, but to take a proactive approach to work with your back, improve spinal alignment through body posture.
You're about to learn just 3 ways to do that without leaving your chair.
- First up - The Lateral Stretch
You're already familiar with this one. After a good nights rest, you rise out of bed, and take a big long stretch. Arms raised to the ceiling, straightening your back.
For some reason that first stretch of the day has a magnificent energizing feel to it.
You can capitalise on that feeling any time you're feeling the tension build in your lower back region.
All you do is bring yourself to the edge of your seat, and straighten your back.
Then...
Inhaling through your nose, bring your arms out in a wide stretch, raising them up so that the end position is both hands outstretched above your head. Hold that position for a few breaths, and lower your arms back down.
- Next up - The Cat Cow Pose
The easy way to remember this one is to
a) Inhale and arch your spine
b) Exhale and round your spine
As you inhale and arch your spine, stretch your neck towards the ceiling.
As you exhale, round your spine and lower your neck so your nose is pointing toward your chest.
Do not try it if you've got chronic pain, or any neck injury.
- 3rd - The Seated Twist
For a quick five-minute twist, this one works miraculously. It works best if you have sidearms on your chair, so it's perfect as an armchair yoga exercise.
Sitting with your back straight, take one hand and place on your opposite knee, with your other hand on the back of the chair to the same side you're other hand is placed.
From that side position, gently move your neck so that you're looking over your shoulder. You'll feel the stretch on your neck and lower back, but the instant you feel it too much, don't force your neck around any further.
You should feel a comfortable stretch and nothing painful.
Go only as far as what feels comfortable to you.
There you have it -
3 Chair yoga exercises for back pain prevention
- The seated lateral stretch
- The seated cat cow pose
- The seated Twist
Practicing those just twice a week will...
- Increase spinal flexibility
- Strengthen your upper and lower back
- Tone and stretch your abdominal muscles
- Improve your circulation
- Reduce back, neck and shoulder tension
The above are only touching on chair yoga exercises for back pain... to discover even more awesome stuff about what chair yoga can do for you, click here to visit http://www.squidoo.com/benefits-of-chair-yoga
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robbie_Bowman
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