Better Back System Exercise Video 7 - Hamstring Stretch

This exercise is also a yoga stretch and again has a higher degree of difficulty than the first 6 exercises. Yoga exercises are beneficial in many ways, especially for your joints and any areas of your body that are stiff and inflexible. However, they can be challenging if you are not accustomed to them.

This particular stretch is quite demanding on your lower back, so its time for an important reminder. I don't know your physical condition and whether for example you have acute back pain right now, or you are just experiencing discomfort, or how supple and fit you are etc. 

As always, DO NOT do something that causes you pain - you are likely to aggravate whatever condition you have.

Take note there is a fine line between pain and discomfort. Whenever, you are expanding the envelope of what your body is capable of, you are likely to experience some discomfort, which is usually OK. However discomfort is clearly different from pain, which is not OK

So the guideline is always move forward carefully when you try a new exercise.

Yoga in particular an exercise form where you intentionally make steady progress over time by gently pushing the envelope of what you are capable of each time you exercise. Just be patient, there is no need to rush.

NOTE: I have been doing this particular exercise for over 15 years, so I can get my chest flat down on my leg quite easily. When I started I could not get anywhere near that - I couldn't even touch my toes at first. It took me a year or more to get to the point I'm at now.

Again the point is take your time, don't rush. Just do the exercise regularly and push your limit gently each time and you'll be pleasantly surprised at the progress you make.

A good way to practice yoga is to get into the habit of doing a few exercises each morning, you'll find its gives you a great way to start the day and you'll feel energised.

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