5 Yoga Poses for Lower Back Pain

1. Chair Mountain Pose

   The Chair Mountain Pose helps to gently strengthen your core muscles. A strong core is better able to support the lower back and hips, which reduces tension and stress at the base of the spine.

   When doing this pose, make sure to engage your core muscles throughout by pulling your belly button in towards your spine. Keep your awareness on the lower back, middle back, core muscles and hips, and make sure not to overstretch.

   • Begin by sitting comfortably on your chair with your feet firm on the floor, hands on your knees, and focusing on deep, gentle breaths
   • As you inhale, extend your spine upwards
   • Exhale and bend forward slowly taking the torso to 60 degrees
   • On your next inhale, stretch your spine while in this forward bend
   • Exhale and look up, then remain in this posture for 4 breaths before releasing and relaxing back to the sitting position

2. Chair Cat/Cow Pose

   This exercise moves between two poses, Cat and Cow, to open the back, shoulders, chest, psoas major, and abdominal muscles. Curving the back inwards and outwards while coordinating the breathing process helps to release the tensions of the entire back.

   Practice this six times, coordinating the moves with the breathing process.

   • Start by sitting in a sturdy chair with your feet flat on the ground and hands on your knees - aim to sit towards the middle of the chair rather than being pressed flat against the backrest
   • As you inhale, expand your chest, drop your head and chin back and arch your back into Chair Cat. Hold for a moment
   • Exhale and tuck your chin in and your head forward, while rounding your back, chest and shoulders forwards into Cow Pose. Hold for a moment
   • Move dynamically here from Chair Cat to Cow Pose, making sure to use your full range of movement to feel the best stretch. As you do this smile and breath with positivity to really help calm your mind and relieve stress

   If you feel comfortable, you can also try this on all fours, with knees below hips and hands below shoulders on the floor. The same curving movement will apply.

3. Chair Sun Salutation Modified

   Sun salutations are an iconic yoga favourite and provide a powerful flow for the entire back, hips, and core. This complete body movement will improve blood circulation, which in turn helps to reduce joint stress and stiffness, including in the lower back (base of the spine), easing the aches and pain in the lumbar region.

   The modified chair sun salutation is easier on stiff or sore backs.

   • Begin by sitting comfortably and straight in a sturdy chair with your feet firmly on the floor and hands on your knees
   • As you inhale, raise your arms up over your head extending the chest, shoulders and arms. Stay here for one breath
   • As you exhale, fold forward, bending from the hips, ideally until your hands drop down to the floor (or as low as you can comfortably go). Stay here for one breath
   • Inhale and slowly sit back up
   • Exhale and lift your right knee up upwards, supporting with your hand
   • Inhale and raise the right knee in towards your body with your hand and look up
   • Exhale and continue to look up, leaning slightly backwards. Stay here for one breath
   • Exhale and press your thigh towards you and bring the head towards the knee, rounding your back forwards
   • Gently release the leg, rest for one breath and repeat with the left leg
   • Rest for one breath before repeating again

4. Chair Revolved Pose

   These hip and upper back twists will help stretch your lower back spine and middle back. These muscles will open up as they stretch, increasing flexibility and strength. Work slowly as you bend and twist. Make sure to keep your breath flowing rhythmically throughout. 

   • Begin sitting comfortably and straight in a sturdy chair with your feet firmly on the floor and hands on your knees
   • As you inhale, stretch and extend the spine
   • Exhale and fold forward, reaching for the ground with your left arm
   • While in this position, inhale and raise your right arm upwards
   • Exhale and turn your head to look up at the extended arm
   • Stay in this Revolved Chair Pose for about three breaths before releasing your right arm down towards the ground
   • Repeat by raising your left arm upwards

5. Chair Cobra Pose

   This is a simple back bend, so really take your time to enjoy it and explore how this stretches right through your back. Relax into the movement and focus on your breathing.

   • Start sitting towards the front of your chair, with feet firmly on the floor and hands holding the back of the chair on either side of your hips
   • Inhale and curve your body forward, feeling the stretch through your arms, chest and spine
   • Exhale and drop your head backwards
   • Hold this back bend for six breaths before releasing and relaxing