Last week I did some gardening, and for several mornings I woke up with a stiff and sore back.

The remedy? Triangle pose.

Within a couple of days, my back pain was gone. However, since then I’ve made triangle pose a feature of my daily yoga routine.

Yoga For Back Pain – Triangle Pose reports:

“When it comes to moving the trunk, most people are unaware of the difference between bending at the waist and folding at the hip joint. The lowest part of the spine (sacrum and coccyx bones) inserts between the two pelvic bones. Together, the pelvis, hips and low spine offer maneuverability that is capable of initiating and supporting movement for the whole body.

It is much safer for your back if you bend at the hips (and knees) rather than the waist. Done with attention to proper alignment, the triangle pose can help you develop an awareness of the action of your hips. And, it will strengthen and stretch the muscles that work these important joints.”

If you have back pain, I commend triangle pose to you — it really works to strengthen your back and relieve pain and stiffness.

[tags]back pain, triangle pose[/tags]

Can yoga help you keep you young?

Anything which increases your flexibility (mental and physical) and keeps you mobile for such a small investment of time and energy is worth checking out.

Yoga Journal – Yoga Buzz – Yoga Blog reports:

“Researchers at Indiana University released a study today that showed older adults who practice hatha yoga may be less afraid of falling—which is important, the study says, because that fear can limit physical and social activity, ultimately diminishing the quality of life.”

Give your local yoga studio a call. Many studios have classes for seniors. If they don’t, then take a beginner’s class. You’ll be glad you did, right from your very first class.

[tags]yoga, practice, seniors[/tags]

Do you feel tired all the time?

Doctors have a name for this, they call it Tired All the Time (TATT) syndrome. Patients complain that they’re always tired, and lack energy.

Much of the TATT feeling is caused by being stressed and tense.

Yoga can help you to get rid of that excess tension, and relax, so that your body has a chance to heal.

This happens not only during your yoga sessions, but right throughout the day. Your yoga teaches you to become aware of your body, and muscular tension.

When your neck starts feeling stiff, and your shoulders are knotted, take a moment to get up, and do a couple of yoga stretches.

Be aware of your breathing as you stretch.

You’ll feel much better afterward.

Take a minute or two to do some stretches at least once an hour.

[tags]yoga, tired, stress, tension[/tags]