If you’ve ever gone to battle with back pain, you know it can knock you out and sideline you from life until the pain subsides. Back pain is no joke, and even if you’re one of the lucky few who has skated through life without so much as a twinge, your time may be a comin’.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, it’s estimated that 80 percent of the adult population will deal with back pain at some point in their lives.
Katie Brauer, a TedX speaker and Master Yogi explains, “Yoga postures that stretch the hamstrings, quads, hip flexors, outer hips and quadratus lumborum (the low back muscles), can be incredibly beneficial to easing back pain.” And while a full-length class that takes you through a steady flow of poses to loosen up your entire body is certainly worth doing, sometimes you just need a few go-to moves to help ease the pain. Brauer offers the following six poses as your well-rounded remedy along with the following advice, “Remember to breathe deeply and focus on relaxing in the places you feel the most sensation. I recommend you stay in these postures for at least 10 to 15 breaths.”
According to Brauer, the pyramid pose targets your central and lateral hamstrings – areas many people find particularly tight. Yoga blocks can help you enter the pyramid pose without placing too much strain on your low back. If you don’t have access to yoga blocks, grab a few sturdy books to use in their place.
This article was originally posted on Thelist.com.