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Often we get asked what are some of the ways that our back can be protected or recover from pain, and while it is very important that anytime you experience severe back pain you consult your medical practitioner, in our experience here are some of the ways that you can help protect your back

• Stand up and Walk regularly during the day, especially if you are in a job that requires you to sit for continuous periods of time. If possible every 50 minutes get up and walk around for about 10 minutes
• Drink plenty of water, by keeping your body well hydrated, your spine and muscles will remain supple
• If possible day perform a series of gentle stretches that aim to release tension stored in your body from daily activities, if possible following sound Yoga principles
• Daily perform mid body strengthening exercises, targeting all abdominal muscles, back and lateral torso muscles aiming for symmetry and keeping flexibility
• Systematically move all joints with control along safe ranges

Any exercise regime you decide to start and maintain, must seek to restore and if possible increase mobility ranges to your back and all around your mid section in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of muscles creating misalignments along your spine

At Ananda one of the reasons we decided to specialize in Reformer Pilates and traditional Yoga is that these two disciplines are especially designed to restore, maintain and over time increase symmetrical muscle development, flexibility, back and joint health and balance

Besides the above, stress reduction by either or both of the above practices is a welcome bonus. We hope you will introduce the above principles into your exercise regime, and if possible add Yoga and Reformer Pilates to remain mobile, flexible and strong while protecting your back

During the practice of Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki, which is the tradition I learned from Sensei Phyllis Lei Furumoto and which I practice daily, one of the naturally occurring effects is that of stepping into a space of mental and emotional serenity regardless of external conditions

I have found that when I practice meditation in the tradition of Ashtanga or Raja Yoga, the meditative space and effects are very similar, so why then practice Reiki ?

Two of the main reasons are that to practice Reiki all I have to do is lay my hands on my body, and I don’t have to pay close attention to the process for it to work

In Ashtanga meditation, sitting still, concentration, breath control and other elements have to be present to step into a meditative space

So if you are still struggling with quieting the mind or other challenges to be able to properly meditate, Reiki may be a better practice to access the benefits of a clear and serene mind

I regularly schedule classes for first and second degree of Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki, but you are also welcome to send me your questions or inquire about treatments or future classes

Gilberto Arias