Yoga for Back Care
Teacher: Rodney Yee
Location: A Hawaian beach.
Time: 55 minutes
Level: Beginner

This video has been designed to help us become more aware of the muscles of our back and to strengthen them. It may benefit those people with severe back pain, who should obviously use it with caution and under medical advice. Rodney Yee introduces the video by explaining that Yoga can help with many different back problems "because, like no other form of treatment, yoga simultaneously addresses the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of our back pain".

The video has four sections: Introduction, Exploration, Strength and Flexiblity and Restoration. The Exploration section is conducted mainly on our backs, using a folded or rolled blanket under different parts of the spine. The section is aptly named because by moving our legs and arms in different ways, we are able to explore the sensations in our backs. Exporation continues from a seated position, with a series of bends and twists. This is probably the only section of the video that could be suitable for someone with an actively painful back and they may want to modify some of the positions, as appropriate.

Strength and Flexiblity starts a third of the way through the video with cat and downward dog, followed by a sequence of locust type postures. These would probably be impossible with an actively painful back but they no doubt improve muscle strength. A standing sequence follows, with postures modified to protect the back. Triangle and side bend start with the upper hand resting on the sacrum and tree and warrior use a chair for support. The section ends with seated abdominal work and cobblers pose. The Restoration section provides a relaxing conclusion to the video, making extensive use of a bolster and a couple of rigid chairs. Positions include lying on our front and back and sitting on the floor and a chair, relaxing over the bolster.

The entire video is filmed in a group of rocks on the Hawaian coast. Rodney Yee's gentle voice guides us through the postures, frequently reminding us to feel what we are experiencing. There is no instantaneous cure for back ache but performing the yoga postures in this video is probably a good prophylaxis.

Comment on or correct this review

Back to Yoga Video Reviews