

Think of this as noon on an imaginary clock. Reach your right arm straight up, palm on the wall, fingers toward the ceiling. Stand in mountain pose with the posture you practiced in number 1 with the right side of your body six inches or so away from the wall. Bring the back of your head toward the wall only as much as you can while keeping the back of your neck long.ġ.

Notice which parts of your body are touching the wall. Take your arms out to your sides, palms facing forward, and press the backs of your hands against the wall. Roll your shoulders up and back then move your shoulder blades down your back and closer to each other, aiming to make a crease between them. Stand with your back against the wall and your feet a couple inches away from the wall. In order to bring your head and neck closer to neutral and increase postural awareness, practice mountain pose with the help of a wall. You may also want blocks or a chair to sit on for the mobilizations in number 8 and a “ rad rod” or another type of massage roller (or even a rolling pin from your kitchen drawer) for the self-massage described in number 9. Over time, your ability to move the neck may likely improve.”įor this sequence, you will need a wall, a strap, a hand towel, and an extra yoga mat or blanket. Allow the movements to be slight at first, and aim to increase your range gradually as you grow more familiar with the sequence. To ensure that it does not, he reminds that, “It is important not to force the mobility of the neck. Reif stresses that the sequence should not cause pain or sensations like tingling, numbness, or shaking.
#YOGA SEQUENCE FOR BACK PAIN FREE#
Naturally, if any of the poses or exercises in this sequence feel especially valuable to you, feel free to repeat those daily, while on a break during the course of your workday or as part of your regular yoga practice. While those who regularly experience head, neck, and jaw pain may benefit from practicing this sequence two or three times a week, those without pain might practice it a few times a month to keep discomfort at bay.
#YOGA SEQUENCE FOR BACK PAIN HOW TO#
As Bill Reif, physical therapist and author of The Back Pain Secret: The Real Cause of Women’s Back Pain and How to Treat It, says, “A practice like this that aligns and mobilizes the neck can help prevent forward-head posture and pain.” While this practice is designed to alleviate head, neck, and jaw pain that stem from forward-head posture, it may be helpful for all yoga students. It is not a replacement for the personal advice of a health professional.

Editor's note: The following article is intended to provide general information for yoga practitioners and teachers.
