Yoga Therapy for Back Pain and Stress Relief with Kanta Barrios

This video is pretty awesome. It is slow paced, and the instructions are clear and helpful. I like that the cues for breathing don't make you feel like you're going to hyperventilate like some yoga videos. And because it is slow paced, it gives you the opportunity to focus on form so you can do the poses correctly and actually benefit from them.I'm trying to get back into shape after having a baby... a year and a half ago. The problem is that my current shape is terrible, so I need to start gently so I don't hurt myself. I have always been prone to back pain, and it's been getting pretty bad lately, probably from the bad posture and picking up a kid all of the time. I'd been to the chiropractor for similar pain almost three years ago, and she explained the posture and tight muscles in my upper legs and lower back are the problem.This video stretches the muscles that create my lower back pain, and actually has some of the exact stretches the chiropractor taught me. It also gently stretches and realigns the back without cracking. It isn't much of a workout, but you may feel some pleasurable tightness in some spots the next day. No joke, when I stood up after the video, I was suddenly standing straighter. I'm also holding myself up straighter this morning, and it is comfortable. And I slept like a log last night, instead of tossing and turning, struggling to get comfortable.Even after I've gotten back on track for getting fit, I think I'll make this a weekly routine just to maintain my spine and posture.

Every once in a while, I move wrong and "throw out my back" and suffer from terrible back pain. Today was one such day. I could hardly walk. I took pain relievers, applied ice/heat and even put on a back support. Finally, I remembered that there are a few yoga videos available on Amazon prime. I'm very new to yoga. I literally only started a week ago. My lower back was so painful and tight, I was willing to try anything. I was worried that this might be too difficult and painful, but found that the stretches actually helped relieve my tight, spasming muscles. While I couldn't fully extend my legs for some of the poses because I'm just not that flexible yet, I did what I was able to do and found my pain level greatly reduced after just 20 minutes of this video! There were a few stretches I skipped because my back twinged a little more than I liked, however, the stretches I was able to do helped a lot. The pace that Kanta Barrios sets for this video is very slow and perfect for a beginner like me. I did have to pause the video a few times as I figured out the poses or got out some of the additional equipment she uses. The items she uses in this video besides a yoga mat are: a yoga block, a yoga strap/belt, a folded blanket, a chair and a bolster or other sturdy pillow.

About me: I am a 40 year old woman who has suffered debilitating back pain for over a decade thanks to a combination of slight scoliosis, bad posture, a sedentary lifestyle, emotional trauma, and a few minor fender benders. I have a dessicated disc at L5/S1 and had an unsuccessful microdistectomy several years ago. I wake up with moderate to considerable discomfort in my back and legs daily, and I have trouble standing or walking for more than 10 or 15 mins.I tried this after reading some of the reviews. Because I did not have the props, I stopped after the first half hour (the routine is an hour total). Nevertheless, I was able to notice an immediate difference in my flexibility, pain level, and energy. I feel much better on the days I do this routine (the first part, anyway) in the morning, than on the days I don't. I've only been using it 2-3 x a week for 2 weeks so I can't say if there has been a long-term effect in my well-being, although I certainly hope that will be the case.I prefer this to an actual yoga class because it lets me avoid the dreaded Comparison Syndrome (I live in a college town, which doesn't help). Otherwise, I myself beyond what is advisable in order to keep up with people half my age with healthy backs. Every time.I own the Instant Video version if this and appreciate its portability (it can be played on my tablet).edited to add: I've tried the second half and dislike it. It may work for some but the poses use lots of flexion and put undue pressure on the weakest point of my back.edited on 1/27 to add: I stopped using this over Christmas break and definitely noticed a negative difference--I felt much more stiff and fatigued.

I started this yoga practice because I had relentless lower back pain. Every time I would rise from a seated position, roll over in bed, or rise in the morning, my lower back would cry out in pain. I felt much older than my 53 years! I was active with walking, hiking, and spinning; yet, my tight back always interfered with my motion. I am convinced that this yoga practice is responsible for the relief I now feel in my lower back. I've seen tremendous improvement in my ability to follow the moves, and if I miss a week of practice, I feel the return of the lower back pain. I try to do this yoga therapy at least once a week and have been following it for about a year. If you are just starting out, I'd suggest committing to 2-3 times a week until you feel relief, and then you can practice less often to maintain. I like that I can do this in the privacy of my own home and that it focuses so completely on my back issues.