Practice Point #16 - Pain in Backbends

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I received a question from Laurie in USA. Her question is...

Is it suppose to hurt in the back in salabhasana?

The word 'hurt' opens up a can of worms.

Does 'hurt' mean pain, and if so to what degree.

Does 'hurt' mean discomfort?

Does 'hurt' mean 'this is bad and I am going to do damage'

What 'hurt' means for one person is different for another.

As a teacher if a student declares something hurts, then we need to respond. We need to ask questions to understnad what 'hurt' means to them.

I have never understood Yoga to be pleasant and easy. I am OK with experiencing discomfort even pain when practicing, but this comes with a sharp radar for understnading if the pain is good or bad.

We learn this in yoga, to dicern if it is something we should sustain or surrender.

This is what we are learning in life right?

How we respond in the asana helps us to better respond to challenges in life.

So to conclude, if a student says 'it hurts' or if you are in an asana and feel pain I ask myself the following questions.

  1. Is this good pain or bad pain. Good pain is usually a stretch, release and while it is intense it brings relief afterwards. Bad pain is usually sharp, acute and or felt in the joints.

  2. If it is good pain observe it, notice it, sustain it and then release and again observe, what can you learn from it.

  3. If it's bad pain ask your teacher or self what can do to shift this, perhaps a small action is required to shift it or perhaps you need to come out and not do the poses.

Only the student can know the answers and that is part of the journey as a practitioner. Learning to listen inwards and respond with skillful action.

Let me finish with 'Ahimsa' Non violence, one of the five yamas to observe and practice.

Never stray from the yamas and niyamas and if in doubt about something return to them and they will guide you.

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