To Cobra or Not to Cobra - Can Your Back Handle Yoga Poses?

Photo (c) Barry Stone

If you want a flexible spine, the yoga cobra pose is one of several that will be probably be recommended to you by well-meaning teachers. But being part of the yoga system does not automatically guarantee a pose's safety for all types of back problems. The basic movement of the cobra is to arch the spine backward. There are some back conditions that relish this movement, and others that are irritated by it. Find out if (or how) the cobra is the a good idea for your back.

To this end, you may want to take the Yoga and Back Pain Awareness Quiz, to be sure you know the finer details about keeping your back safe while you practice.

| Cobra Pose and Back Pain | Back Pain | Are You and Your Back Ready for Yoga? Take the Quiz | Yoga for Back Pain | Before You Do Yoga for Your Back |