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I have a student that has pretty bad kyphosis in her lower back. Can anyone suggest a few poses that might help her situation?

I get her to sit up on blankets whenever we do forward bends and the like to try and straighten her spine - but mainly I get her to practise back bending poses at home between classes, but she's not very flexible. Any suggestions?

That does sound a bit tricky ...my teacher said to get them to lie at a blanket in savasana...it starts giving the lower back a bit of curve...! hope it helps!

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Hi BendyLady. Does your student have tight hamstrings as well? I was wondering whether there would be some muscle-relationship going on - tight and shortened lower back muscles, and therefore shortened upper hamstrings on the back of thighs and iliopsoas on the front of thighs.... If so, it might be an idea to give her poses for these muscle groups as well to work on the entire area that seems effected....

This sounds interesting - sorry I'm new to yoga but can u tell me what kyphosis is? Anything to do with backs is interesting for me Thank u.

Hi guys - thanks for this advice (Michy kyphosis is when you have a rounded back which often happens as we sit for so long in front of computers can you relate??). Viparita you have it spot on. Yes - so maybe lunges, pigeon, equestrian, cobra?? Any other suggestions? Thanks again.

That is exactly what I meant - lunges and pigeon to stretch the front of the thighs and maybe as well something like supta padangustasana (with a belt, as it probably will be needed) to stretch the hamstrings on the back of the thighs.