Healing from Within: 5 Easy Yoga Poses for Lower Back Pain Relief

Hank Nelson
2 min readDec 4, 2023

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Lower back pain is an all-too-common companion in our modern, often sedentary lives. The good news? You don’t need a complicated fitness routine or fancy equipment to find relief. Incorporating simple yet effective yoga poses into your daily routine can work wonders for easing lower back discomfort. Let’s explore five easy yoga poses that can become your go-to allies in the journey toward a healthier, pain-free back.

1. Child’s Pose (Balasana):

How to do it:

  • Kneel on the mat with your big toes touching and knees hip-width apart.
  • Sit back on your heels and extend your arms forward, lowering your chest toward the mat.
  • Hold the position for 30 seconds to 1 minute, focusing on deep, steady breaths.

Why it helps:

  • Child’s Pose gently stretches the lower back, hips, and thighs, promoting relaxation and releasing tension.

2. Cat-Cow Stretch (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana):

How to do it:

  • Start on your hands and knees in a tabletop position.
  • Inhale as you arch your back, dropping your belly and lifting your head (Cow Pose).
  • Exhale as you round your back, tucking your chin to your chest (Cat Pose).
  • Repeat this flow for 1–2 minutes.

Why it helps:

  • Cat-Cow Stretch improves flexibility in the spine, promoting mobility and relieving stiffness in the lower back.

3. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana):

How to do it:

  • Begin on your hands and knees, tuck your toes, and lift your hips toward the ceiling.
  • Keep your knees slightly bent and heels reaching toward the floor.
  • Hold for 1–2 minutes, focusing on lengthening your spine.

Why it helps:

  • Downward-Facing Dog elongates the spine, stretches the hamstrings, and engages the core, providing overall relief for the lower back.

4. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana):

How to do it:

  • Lie on your stomach with your palms under your shoulders.
  • Inhale, lifting your chest off the mat, keeping your elbows slightly bent.
  • Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute, maintaining a gentle stretch.

Why it helps:

  • Cobra Pose strengthens the back muscles and opens up the chest, promoting a healthier lower back.

5. Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana):

How to do it:

  • Start in a tabletop position and walk your hands forward, lowering your chest toward the mat.
  • Keep your hips over your knees and extend your arms, reaching your forehead to the ground.
  • Hold for 1–2 minutes, breathing deeply into the stretch.

Why it helps:

  • Puppy Pose stretches the spine, shoulders, and lower back, providing a gentle release of tension.

In Conclusion: Consistency is key when incorporating yoga into your routine. These five poses offer a fantastic starting point for those seeking relief from lower back pain. Remember to listen to your body, move slowly, and enjoy the journey toward a stronger, more flexible, and pain-free lower back. Embrace the healing power of yoga, and let each pose be a step toward a more vibrant and comfortable life. 🌿🧘‍♂️

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Hank Nelson
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Hi, my name’s Dr. Hank… I’m a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). I run a personal training company