Chronic twinges? A nagging ache? Sleepless nights? Or, the worst, having to crawl to the bathroom?
At best, lower back pain is an annoyance. At worst, it can wreak true havoc on your life.
Do you assume this pain caused by issues in your lower back?
This can certainly be the case. Tight, weak lower back muscles can cause major problems. It’s definitely important to bring strength, blood flow, relief, and mobility to this area.
However, what you may not know about your lower back is that it often compensates for:
- Tight hips
- Weak or underutilized abs
- Weak or underutilized booty
- Improper posture
All these issues must be addressed in order for you back to stay healthy and pain-free.
A great place to start? One, very important postural adjustment.
Its fancy name in yoga? Uddiyana Bandha.
“Bandha” simply means “lock”. “Uddiyana Bandha” is your “Abdominal Lock”. Or what I like to call your “Ribcage-to-Pelvic Lock”.
Before I knew about this lock, I threw out my back, multiple times, while doing yoga.
The first step to master this lock? Envision yourself growing a monkey tail.
No joke here. I’m dead serious…
Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Pull your imaginary (obviously) ;) monkey tail through your legs, then up towards your head.
Do you need a visual? Check out this recent television segment of mine. The monkey tail is discussed a few minutes in.
Find this lock when you’re standing in your everyday life and when you’re doing standing yoga poses. It will make a world of difference!
Annalicia Lynn is a writer, speaker, coach, podcaster, and founder of YogaAndPilatesOnline.com. She is a health & fitness contributor to CBS Minnesota News, Twin Cities Live, The Huffington Post, Mind Body Green, ELITE DAILY, GetHealthyU, and Cameron Diaz’s Body Book Blog. Through her Free 21-Day Movement Challenge, Yoga & Pilates Online Membership program, podcast, speaking, coaching, and writing, Annalicia helps individuals across the globe transcend the fears, doubts, and excuses blocking them from the fit, healthy lifestyles they desire. With 10+ years of teaching experience and a life’s journey of lessons to share, she guides others on their path to achieving the lives & bodies they’ve always wanted - on terms rooted in deep self-understanding and self-care.
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