I use a Yoga video (it's VHS!) from a million years ago.

I started using it quite a while back, and then fell off the wagon. It's only 20 minutes and it's marked as "For Stress Reduction" (I also have two longer yoga videos [also VHS] that are more intense that I don't think I'm ready for.)

Here's the problem. Recently, I have been having problems with my lower back, which I thought yoga would help. I've done the tape two days now, once a day...and my back hurts worse.

Should I keep going? It's just a tight, tense, kinda "sore" feeling. Is Yoga actually helping and it's just an adjustment period?

i recommend if it is hurting, stop now, and maybe try some light stretching/ back strengthening exercises.

It depends on how much it hurts! Sounds silly, but I've had a sore lower back forEVER -- I couldn't lie on my back with my legs stretched out, it hurt so much. I started yoga and worked through it and worked it out. I can now lie on my back with my legs out without any pain. THAT took me 3 months of 4 days a week, just to get there.

I pulled a mid-back muscle on my right side 2 days ago. Still doing the yoga and it is getting better.

The philosophy that I personally follow is -- if it hurts, I do the yoga but I work to the point of owwweeee pain and back off a bit. This works for me. It may not be your choice or the consensus, but it really works for me.

Kira

Yeah, I mean, it's not oweeeee pain.

And the video is only 20 minutes long.

It's mostly just...tense. I hold stress and tension between my shoulders and in my neck, so those areas are a little sore too, it's just a little...uncomfortable.

I think it's my mattress, actually. It was a hand me down and I can't get rid of it...it's great in all the other ways.

Can you turn your mattress? Like so the head is at the foot of your bed or even upside down with the head at the bed foot? Sometimes that can make a big difference if you can't rush right out and buy a new mattress.

As long as your back pain is more of an ache or tension rather than an "ow" pain, I'd say keep doing the yoga if you want. BUT, also make sure you're stretching really thoroughly after all your workouts - cardio, weights, and yoga. Also, check out your footwear during the day. When my back gets stiff and sore, I find that its usually b/c of my shoes, or lack of them. As soon as I slip on a pair of crocks the pain lessens a lot.

Don't be afraid to experiment and find out what works for you. And in the meantime, don't forget that Aleve can be your best friend! :-)

My lower back sometimes hurts after yoga. I don't know why. It might just be soreness because I am really weak in my core body. The more I do yoga the less it hurts though.

You might try going for a massage. It feels great and the massage therapist can tell you if you've got knots and could probably make recommendations about stretches to help you.

Mmmmmm that sounds good.

My SO generally gives me a "back rub" but it's not a massage, and she's not a massage therapist. (Actually, what she usually does is pop my back, but I started doing yoga and it doesn't pop anymore.

It could also be 2 other things

1 - you could have weak muscles in your core and lower back. The pain might literally be from you using them!

2 - You could be doing poses wrong. Yoga has very specific alignment for poses, and if you do some incorrectly you can hurt yourself in certain places.

My guess is that it's 1, since it's not a sharp pain.