Did you know that about 31 million Americans experience low back pain at any given time? It’s true! This statistic comes from the American Chiropractic Association.

I started feeling back aches after trying too hard in some of the more challenging asanas in my practice like plow pose and headstand. It wasn’t because those poses were prone to back injuries but I was, like I said – trying too hard and rushing it.

Inversions are exciting and impressive to look at. I’ll admit, I like taking pictures to check my alignment and marvel at my progress. It’s all part of the fun. The backaches? not so much.

These achy parts are the moments when the essence of yoga reveals itself. It brings awareness and humility. My body was telling me to listen. To take a break. To slow down and feel, so I did. I went back to some of the more basic poses that are great for soothing and stretching the back. It may not be as exciting as an inversion pose but it felt so good! As far as I know, that was my body expressing gratitude.

Try these gentle yoga poses for back pain relief:

1. Cat and cow
2. Sphinx
3. Bridge
4. Reclining twist
5. Fish
6. Child’s pose