Yoga can seem daunting when you see people twisting themselves into pretzel-like positions. But it can be done at beginner levels, and doing this ancient exercise even in a gentle form has many health benefits, especially when the practice is tailored to the needs of the individual. A recent study supports yoga’s role in easing low back pain.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, included 141 adults. All had moderate to severe low back pain for at least three months. Most were women.
For 12 weeks, half of the participants did a form of yoga called hatha, which emphasizes holding poses for extended periods while focusing on deep breathing. They did an hourlong guided session via video each week and agreed to practice daily on their own as well.
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