DVD as therapy for Back Pain

Hello

Do you do a yoga dvd for people with bad backs or can you recommend one i need to strenghten my back i have done a bit of yoga but am frightnened to do any at the momment due to my back.
what exercises should i be doing for my back?

thank you

Linda Davies

City: Worcestershire

Country: England

Hi Linda,
I do, in fact, have a DVD specifically for back problems. When I decide what DVD to do next, I look at the current statistics on what’s commonly ailing people. I had found that the percentage of people in America with chronic back problems was alarming. It has a lot to do with how we live today: sitting at a computer, in a car a lot of the time, rarely ever bending over to touch the ground or stretching up to reach for something. In response, I created Yoga for a Healthy Back. After the 2 introduction chapters, there are 3 separate 25-minute chapters of follow-along posture sequences. I created each of the practice segments according to years of training I’ve had on the spine and vertebrae, because for someone with back problems, the postures followed must respect the structural challenges very carefully.

In the first one, I make the assumption the practitioner is in pain, possibly even intense pain. The postures are extremely gentle. Mostly, the goal is to un-wrench the bound muscles. The result after just one session is more range of movement, eased tension of the back muscles and more oxygenation to the system. I recommend people continue to do the first sequence until it is very, very easy for them before moving on to the next one. My directions should be followed very, very precisely to achieve the desired result

After “Relax the Back” is done several times, the practitioner will have more knowledge about which movements present challenges. For instance, if one’s vertebrae are posterior displaced, or pushed outward toward the back, bending forward is most likely the motion that causes pain. If vertebrae are pushed interiorly, it’s the backward motion that most often creates pain. In the second segment, “Strengthen the Back”, the goal is to create the muscular structure to hold the vertebrae in the proper alignment—the place into where one’s chiropractor adjusts the spine.

After the second segment is very easy and creates no sensitiveness, its time to move on to the third segment, that contains vigorous back exercises. Doing this practice will create good posture through erect alignment of the vertebrae, which is a large part of protecting one’s back.

In one of the DVD chapters of Yoga for a Healthy Back, I recommend that people consider the posture their car seat, desk chair, or evening sofa puts them in. Because the fasciae, the mesh netting around the muscles, reshapes after just 11 minutes in a particular position, it is important that one’s back is in alignment in every situation. That may mean having a couch re-stuffed or putting a pillow at the small of your back in the car. Lifestyle habits can either support or detract from the positive effects of a yoga practice designed to give you a healthy back!

If you’d like to purchase this DVD, please click on the link above.

Best of health to you!

Om Shanti,

Yogi Marlon

For Motor Neurone Disease

Hello Yogi Marlon,
I have Motor Neurone Disease which as you know affects the nerves and wastes the muscles. Which yoga excercises would be benefical for this condition ?

I watched your DVD's published by Daily Mail Newspaper in London and I am now a lifelong fan of yours. You have beauty inside as well outside. I absolutely adore you.

Nat P.
Reading, Berkshire
England, UK

Hi Nat,
Thank you! It seems I am reaching lots of people in the UK because of the distribution of one of my DVDs via UK newspapers. So much so that I am just starting to look into teaching some workshops in the UK in the spring.

In regard to your question. I'm afraid I'm not at all familiar with your illness, so I really cannot recommend specific postures for that. I'm very sorry. I wish I could do more in medical terms. What I can tell you is that yoga directly effects the nadis, which is an energetic network that mirrors the physical network of the nerves. I can only figure here, not diagnose, but I would think if you get more energy to the nerves, you are set in the right direction. Most any yoga practice is good for that, but it has been said the best posture for the overall posture is shoulder stand. I demonstrate this on several of my DVDs. Are you familiar with this posture?

Additionally, pranayama practices are generally more subtle in nature than postures, so their effect on the nadis is more profound. Recommending many of the more elaborate pranayama practices is strictly for an in-person teacher-student lesson. There are so many variables. One that I do suggest for the general public and teach on DVD is alternate nostril breathing. It is on several of the DVDs, including Yoga For Couch Potatoes. Although it is relatively safe for all, it is nonetheless a very powerful and profound practice. Please search the DVD you have for it. If not found, you can always order a DVD on line. I'm shipping more and more to the UK!


I wish you the best of health and hold the vision of your condition healed.

Om Shanti,

Yogi Marlon