Back Pain in Yoga - The Myths & The Science

Lower back pain is the most common complaint I’ve encountered in my many years as a yoga teacher. While the reasons behind back pain can seem mysterious, the solutions often share universal principles. In this course, I guide you through the mechanics of the lower back, shedding light on why back pain is so prevalent and what yoga teachers can do to help—without unintentionally making things worse. All too often, generic advice for back pain leads to chronic, debilitating issues for students who start with temporary discomfort. Back pain is nuanced: the very pose that helps one student heal could exacerbate another’s condition. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. This course also challenges outdated yoga myths. Statements like “I bend, so I don’t break” or “You’re only as healthy as your spine is bendy,” often quoted by leading publications, are not only inaccurate but potentially harmful. Modern understanding of spinal mechanics reveals a different truth: the spine isn’t designed to bend excessively—it’s evolved to move and stabilize. For yoga teachers, understanding this distinction is crucial. It’s what separates educated, thoughtful instructors from the well-meaning but misinformed. By the end of this course, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to guide your students safely, helping them find relief without risking further harm. This is more than a course—it's a step toward transforming how we approach yoga and back pain. Let’s move beyond myths and into the science of movement. Your students will thank you. Zahir Akram OM Yoga Magazine - Yoga Teacher of the Year 2024