Yoga classes are found in nearly every town and community in the world, with a few exceptions of course. Joining a regular class can greater increase your backs flexibility and give you better postural alignment, decreasing your risk of back problems that can overtime become chronic and very painful. It is wise to begin yoga stretching slowly with the aid of a qualified yoga instructor. Some people like to start out with 2 classes of beginning yoga to start and gradually build up to more advanced levels or simply increase the number of times a week they attend. You know you and your back the best and can make decisions based on your particular needs or schedule.
If you have a severe back problem that considerably interfere with your physical movement, daily activities or exercise ability, you might want to consider working with a professional yoga trainer who can give you quality attention for your specific needs. There are yoga therapists who specialize in back issues, so that they can adapt the yoga exercises to your detailed requirements. Also, the yoga instructor can have you move with the stretches at a slower pace, keeping special care that you do not injure or overextend with any body movements. This is definitely the wisest choice if you suffer from chronic back pain, so you can get this individual attention. Large yoga classes can be dangerous because you might be pressured to keep up with the pace of the class that is not exactly "where you are at". In any event, always check with a medical doctor before pursuing any new exercise regime.
Attending a yoga class to increase flexibility and restore the natural range of motion to the spine, is a good idea for any one with tense, tight back muscles. These motions include flexion (bending forward), extension (bending backward) and rotations. To achieve maximum benefit it is important that you choose a yoga program that you enjoy and that makes you feel good physically. You will need one that allows for your own progress and pace of speed. The class must fit nicely into your daily schedule without undue stress, this will ensure your continued practice and integration of yoga into your perhaps busy lifestyle.
One of the basics to yoga stretching for most back issues is knowing how far to go and doing so with the proper alignment of the body. Every back problem is unique, but often special focus on strengthening the abdominal region is considerably helpful in achieving a strong, healthy back that can move and flex with ease. For those who have had injury to the back that involves surgery or scar tissue build up, strengthening the abdomen first is a good idea. Later attention can be place on stretching out the tight areas around scars that will allow for greater spinal mobility and function. Finding the right yoga class is an important step in the process, it might take you some preliminary research and experimentation with a variety of styles. You will eventually find the one that fits with your special needs and issues. In addition, all yoga instructors have their own style as well, some may work better with your personality even if the same kind of yoga is being taught. Eventually you will find the perfect yoga class that meets with your unique requirements and tastes.
