yoga + back = unusual pain?

by iwillnotsuccumb

Question by Jessica L: yoga + back = unusual pain?
After my first class of yoga my lower back started to hurt in class and out of class. I am aware that I have bad posture and I trying to counteract that by taking the class. But what I am wondering is....is this a step in the process of strengthening my back, is my back supposed to feel pain at all? Just to add in I am only 16 years old.

Best answer:
Let your instructor know about your back pain. I myself also experienced some back pain (lower back) after doing a yoga video in which there were backbends that stressed my low back, and it turned out I had hyperextended my back, causing issues with my sacroiliac. Big words aside, it is possible to stress the low back and cause injury. When doing yoga, listen carefully to your body. If something doesn't feel right, or hurts (no, yoga should never hurt, other than the normal "sore" muscle feeling the next day, which heals quickly), you should pull out of it and not do it.
your instructor can also give you modifications to do in certain poses so you don't stress your back more. one good one to avoid causing further injury in the low back is when doing cobra or upward dog, to spread the feet out, opening the legs to the sides, so the back doesnt become crunched. Pay close attention to whether this causes any stress or pain in the back, and only go as far as is comfortable.
You don't have to go fully into a pose for yoga to benefit you. just attempting the pose itself and being sure of proper alignment is of great benefit itself.
yoga is also about acceptance. Accept that your body is a little different than someone elses, and you have to listen to it and do what is right for it. You will become knowledgeable about what you need for your own body, and that comes with a great sense of confidence in your self.
Take care, and good luck. Don't hurt your back any more! :)

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