Back Pain and Core Exercises

[KathiCville]

I've just started doing a yoga DVD session every morning to help deal with lower back strain from cycling. My BF points out that my quads have gotten relatively strong from biking, and so are probably throwing my back out of kilter because I haven't built up other key muscles to keep pace. [I'm also scheduled to have my bike fit checked by a reputable LBS next week---in case bad fit is a factor.]

My favorite DVD's at the moment are Rodney Yee's Back Care Basics; his beginner abs DVD; his beginner flexibility DVD; "Yoga for Cyclists" DVD (Terry 1/2 price sale a while back); Madeleine Lewis's AM and PM Stretch; Lewis's Daily Stretch................

I also have a bunch of yoga DVD's featuring Patricia Walden and Suzanne Deason. All but the "Yoga for Cyclists" DVD are by Gaiam/Living Arts, purchased new at half price or less on eBay.............I just bought a couple of beginner Pilates DVD's featuring Ana Caban, but haven't tried them yet.

I kick myself every time I let myself fall out of a regular yoga routine........Nothing keeps me so flexible and (relatively) pain-free as 20-30 minutes of yoga a day. Nothing fancy, but just enough to remind me of how good it feels to gently stretch, twist, reach, bend in ways that I don't during my usual daily activities. If I do yoga consistently, I find myself naturally stretching more during the day, without even thinking about it. ....