The Spinal Column is one of the most vital parts of our body. It’s like the trunk of a tree, supporting the entire body structure and lodging the all-important nervous system. If your spine is unhealthy, it will impair your nervous system function. If your nervous system function is impaired, then your body’s ability to function is impaired. The good news is that several studies show how yoga can help strengthen back muscles and lengthen the ligaments in the back, promoting flexibility and taking stress off of the facet joints, vertebrae and intervertebral discs, reducing the risk of incurring degenerative spinal disorders like sciatica, osteoporosis, herniated disks and scoliosis.
You can use our Search Feature to search through all of our Yoga for the Spine classes on your own. To get you started without searching, we’re highlighting six spine classes in a variety of styles, levels and durations that will be sure to help leave your spine feeling tension-free!
- Cultivate Extension in the Spine with Tiffany Cruikshank: In our forward oriented world the tendency to slouch puts a lot of pressure on the spine & the internal organs. This class focuses on cultivating extension in the spine in some simple ways and some more precarious positions. Take what you need and find some expansion through the front of the body to take some pressure off the spine and the internal organs in the process. Some arms balancing variations & transitions included.
- Yin Yoga for the Spine with Felicia Tomasko: Find sanctuary in the spine with this slow and languid Yin practice that focuses on forward folds and twists with a connection to the refuge of the Earth. We begin with a long seated forward fold to fully let go of tension in the neck, shoulders and back and then move into a supine series of twists to continue to wring out the spine and hips. Drop in and soften in into the sanctuary of the layers of the inner self.
- Strong Legs Healthy Spine Yoga with Elena Brower: Sequence of standing poses, including backbends and twists, to learn how to use our legs optimally to create both stability and receptivity. When we create lower back stability, we are able to receive our gifts, act from our highest potential, and offer ourselves to serve in the world, whatever the context.
- Open Upper Chest, Shoulders & Spine with Stephanie Snyder: This sequence is designed for the athlete (or anyone) who has tight upper chest, shoulders, and spine. Activities like swimming, weight lifting, and strength training can shorten, tighten, and dehydrate these muscles. This can cause upper back pain and poor posture that can inhibit breath function which will limit you in all ways. We will move through a vinyasa-based class that will open the shoulders, chest, and upper back to create freedom and space around your heart!
- Anti-Aging Tonic with Kia Miller: Apana Kriya. This simple but powerful series of exercises is a perfect anti-aging tonic. It moves the spine, boosts the digestive system and brings a youthful energetic glow! Practice regularly to gain maximum detoxification benefits. Best practiced on an empty stomach. Awaken your excellence!
- Release Spine Tension with Jason Crandell: Target those tight, achy spots in your back with a full complement of twists, sidebends and backbends. Learn how subtle-shifts of awareness and action in your practice can leave your spine feeling tension-free. In addition to sun-salutations and standing poses, you will practice several uncommon twists that are sure to become staples in your routine. You will finish this revitalizing practice with several upward-facing bow poses.
