Filmed a couple of short videos in my backyard in San Jose a couple of days ago in response to a few requests for moves to help manage and hopefully eventually eliminate sciatic issues.  As you will see, it was a beautiful northern CA day for a backyard yoga practice, surrounded by peaceful bamboo and assisted by Merry the cat, pictured here practicing her version of  Jaṭharaparivartanāsana (Belly Revolving Pose).

Three Easy Back Moves from Medicine Yoga on Vimeo.

Three Easy Back Moves from Medicine Yoga on Vimeo.

I put it up on Facebook and got a lot of positive responses. In particular, I was touched by one of my students who reposted them.  Her lovely testimonial made my day.

“This is the woman whom I credit fixing my back to. Prior to meeting Barb, I thought that I would live my life in excruciating pain. Now I am nearly 100% pain free on most days, as long as I do what I’m supposed to do! I always thought there would not be a cure, and there wasn’t a doctor in the world who seemed to be able to help me except with drugs, which did absolutely nothing. Yoga was suggested to me many times but I pooh-poohed it because I could hardly move, so why would I go to a yoga class. Thank goodness I went anyway and just did what little teensy bit I could do. After five or six classes I started to be able to bend over further than just my shoulders — let me tell you, it was flippin’ hard work and I bet I said the F word more times in those classes than I should have. Yoga works, people. Find an instructor and go. Tell them what you are dealing with, don’t try to keep up with anyone but yourself, and if you feel like you are being pushed to do more than you feel you can, then find another instructor. Keep on trying.”

I am inspired every day by the progress and diligence of my students, and thankful for the opportunity to share the practice.

Namaste