Yoga 🧘🏾‍♀️ for back pain / strengthening core - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

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Yoga 🧘🏾‍♀️ for back pain / strengthening core

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate
32 Replies

Ok so strictly speaking this isn’t really a post about running!

I was wondering if there were any yoga fans on this forum?

I got into yoga around 4 years ago and kept it up for a couple of years. However, due to a change in career into teaching a couple of years ago this has ground to a halt as all of my spare time has been devoted to work!!

Now that that my 2 year teacher training is nearing to an end and the summer holidays are fast approaching, I would like to get back into it.

For the last 10 years I have suffered with back pain and I am finding that running is one of those sports that aggravates it. I know I have a weak core and regular back exercises would help. My main problem is that fact that I am inherently LAZY!! left to my own devices I Iack the motivation to do this, which is why attending classes or a program such as this works far better for me.

Going to a class would be great, however I have recently moved house to a more rural location and it just doesn’t quite fit with traveling to and from work.

Can anyone recommend a good program, app, dvd, YouTube video etc...that they have tried and found motivational!? I’m open to pilates or any back strengthening exercises.

Thanks in advance ☺️

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Dee_N profile image
Dee_N
Graduate
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32 Replies
AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Hello Dee_N, I have had a little back pain in recent years, not too bad, have also graduated from C25K recently, in fact, two weeks ago tomorrow, you ask about yoga or plank exercises from Youtube. I have found three which I do on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings BEFORE breakfast, I will now tell what they are on Youtube.

No. 1:- 3 minute plank workout with Tom Holland (3.39)

No. 2:- 7 Minute Plank Challenge (9.48)

No. 3:- 5 minute workout that replaces hight intensity cardio (11.47)

Those exercises have helped me a great deal, might help you as well

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to AlMorr

Thanks AlMorr I will have a look! Congratulations on graduating ☺️

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to Dee_N

Thank you Dee, I find the 7 minute plank challenge the hardest, it consists of a 1 minute elbow plank, 15 second rest, 90 second elbow plank, 15 second rest, 2 minute elbow plank, 15 second rest, 90 second elbow plank, 15 second rest and a final 60 second plank, try it. The lady on the video says it strengthens your core.

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to AlMorr

Eeeek that does sound gruelling!! Well done you for doing this! 👏🏽

Saartjie profile image
SaartjieGraduate

Hi Dee. I have the Downdog app which you can select the type and intensity of yoga. I think it's fine if you know what you are doing, maybe not for someone who has never been taught. The Nike training app also has yoga and other types of workouts all for free 🙂

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to Saartjie

Fab - thank you!

Mellyc83 profile image
Mellyc83Graduate

I like yoga with Adrienne on YouTube. She has loads of videos for all sorts of different things. I’ve been doing them for years and I thinks they’re pretty good.

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to Mellyc83

Yes I’ve followed her before 🙂

pollyp1 profile image
pollyp1Graduate

I also like Yoga with Adrienne. My chronic back pain is so much better since I started doing yoga regularly, wish I'd found it years ago. Running helps but I have to be careful not to over-do it.

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to pollyp1

My back pain also improved when I was doing it regularly. I also felt a lot stronger x

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate

I fully recommend Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. I’ve been doing her videos since January and she’s fabulous and there are hundreds of videos to choose from, ranging from gentle to full on. You’re guaranteed to find one for back pain and I know for sure there are some core ones.

I often use her Yoga for Runners now that I’m a runner (albeit only just about to start W4!).

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Do you run? Then you are a runner!

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to Jay66UK

I don’t think I can wear that badge yet Jay!x

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate in reply to Dee_N

Well that’s your choice.

At what point did you become a teacher. Not a qualified teacher or a post-NQT teacher. Just a teacher. It was when you taught someone something.

It is that simple x

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to Jay66UK

Ok I’ll call myself a runner in training and qualified runner when I’ve done the 9 weeks 😉

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate in reply to Dee_N

I’ll dig out my L plates for you.

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to Jay66UK

Ta! Need them!!

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate in reply to Dee_N

You really don’t. And you really don’t need that Toblerone!

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to Jay66UK

Right let me set this straight....I didn’t actually eat it ALL........(in one go haha!!)

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate

Just realised I wasn’t the first to recommend Adriene! Should have read the replies first!!

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Thank you so much for replying...perhaps it’s time I rediscover Adriene. I wasn’t too sure about her videos before but will have another look. 🙂

MatildasPb profile image
MatildasPbGraduate

Dee

I love yoga been doing it for years. A hereditary heart valve problem slowly deteriorated and prevented me from doing any vigorous exercise. I used to be a regular jogger/cyclist.

Plumbing is now fixed and yoga played a huge part in my rehab.

I too followed Adrienne on YouTube. However a switched to EkhartYoga as it has a massive library of classes so you can pick a teacher, style, length, area of the body and type of class you feel like doing that day. They also run specific programmes for all levels of experience etc. The only downside is that you have to pay. However the first trial month is one euro. And if you don’t like it you aren’t tied in to a minimum term. I think it’s about 10 or 12 euros a month after that. Which I thought was about the price of one class a the gym. If you really get keen, like me, you can buy a year’s subscription at around 100 quid.

Sorry if I sound like an advert but I’ve been a subscriber for a few years and never regretted getting on my mat.

Good luck and hope the back improves.

Cheers

Bob

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to MatildasPb

So glad you have recovered Bob. Thank you so much for your response. After so many people have mentioned Adrienne I had a quick nosey on youtube and will definitely give her tutorials a go. Yoga is amazing exercise and I am looking forward to rediscovering it 😊😊😊

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to MatildasPb

Also thank you for your suggestion of Ekhart!

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to MatildasPb

How are you doing with your runs?

MatildasPb profile image
MatildasPbGraduate

Great idea, Adrienne is very good. I only switched when I wanted more variety.

I did W3R2 this morning. It's sooo nice to be running (well, jogging) again.

Good luck again

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to MatildasPb

Excellent! I bet it is! 🙂

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Pilates is good for backs as well as yoga Your back muscles need work so yoga would be a good place to start. I do yoga at home in front of the telly with Tamal Dodge dvd”s 🙂💪👍

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to misswobble

Ooh not heard of Tamal Dodge! I’ve done a bit of pilates before as well. Will have a google. Thanks friend x

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

I paid a fiver for his beginners dvd, which I bought for my post marathon recovery as I couldn’t afford a sports massage. I liked it so much I got my husband to buy me the intermediate one for Christmas

I can’t do all all the moves yet but I give it my best He mentions some of the moves being specially good for backs

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate in reply to misswobble

Super! Thank you! X

Dee_N profile image
Dee_NGraduate

So I’ve been looking at yoga with Adrienne and I’m feeling inspired. Her video’s look great. Don’t know why I’d thought otherwise before. Thanks for the recommendation! X

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