Yoga can help with back pain, flexibility, stress reduction, mood and sleep, To get started, try these beginner yoga poses.
1. Corpse Pose | Savasana
Savasana might look more like a snooze fest than a yoga pose, but it’s actually one of the best yoga poses for your overall health and well-being. By focusing on your breath while relaxing your body, you can release tension and potentially lower your heart rate.
2. Legs Up the Wall | Viparita Karani
Legs up the wall promotes relaxation while stretching your hamstrings and supporting your circulatory system. Elevating your legs above the level of the heart helps support the flow of blood back to your heart, decreases any leg swelling and/or feelings of fatigue,
3. Cat-Cow Stretch | Marjaryasana-Bitilasana
Cat-cow stretch is one of the best yoga poses for back pain and flexibility, describes it as “a gentle but dynamic set of two poses that helps loosen all of the back muscles.” It does this by helping mobilize the joints in the spine.
4. Downward Facing Dog | Adho Mukha Shwanasana
Downward facing dog is one of the most versatile beginner yoga poses you can find. It not only helps with back pain and core strength, but also promotes flexibility from head to toe. It creates traction in the lower back, which takes pressure off the spine,
5. Knees to Chest | Apanasana
By stretching your lumbar spine, this beginner yoga pose promotes flexibility and helps manage back pain. Once you’re situated, rocking gently from side to side can give your lower back muscles a massage.