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I have quite a bit of bad back pain (my lower back is very stiff /sore) and it makes me not want to do yoga, particularly forward bends. My question is should you do yoga with back pain and if yes, then what poses are good. Thanks for any help.

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"For those wounded by civilization, yoga is the most healing salve," Terri Guillemets

Hi Ferny - depends... do you know whether its related to the muscles in the back, or to the actual backbone and the inter-vertebral discs? This kind of distinction might help you decide (or help your yoga teacher/physiotherapist help decide) what you should do and what you shouldn't.

You should not 'push' through pain but you shouldn't feel disabled by it either.

Some general themes that might apply to your situation might be engagement of the core abdominal muscles / bringing the lower abdomen back towards the spine; gentle lying twists might help but only if there is no pain. Child's pose might help a stiff lower back; you might cuddle a bolster face down, and get a friend to place their healing hands passively on either side of the spine to help release.

Restorative lying poses and directing your breath awareness to the area could help.

You could take lying-down 'breaks' between other poses with a bolster under your knees, to help rest the area and aid blood flow.

I had a weak lower back from lots of sitting and it showed bruising virtually every time I did a yoga practice, especially forward and back bends. Gentle twisting and abdominal exercises as well and hip muscle and hamstring stretching has gradually helped me tone and stretch the various back muscles in the area, taking strain off the ligaments and finer back muscles. It amazed me how much the flexibility of my legs and hips has contributed to the recovery of my back.

So, hope this information helps you build your own picture.

I agree Gomukha this is good advice. I have had a sore back in the past and found what you suggest work - particularly rolling on my back after each pose and also twists are great for releasing the back and getting rid of pain.

My advice would also be gentle but don't give up the yoga - that is one thing for sure that will make the back worse to my way of thinking.