13-Minute Practice for Managing Chronic Pain

Oct 18 The debilitating impact of chronic pain can render a person completely hopeless and frustrated. Though the common advice from doctors is usually to do “gentle exercises,” the thought of exercising can be daunting and seemingly impossible.

Yoga practices, especially ones that are therapeutically-oriented and slower-paced, where options and variations are provided for various types of range of motion, can be very helpful in alleviating certain symptoms while gently mobilizing the physical body.

In the 13-min video above, I offer an accessible, gentle yoga practice with the options of practicing reclined on the floor or bed, or seated on a chair. The sequence guides you through mobilizing common areas of the body that hold tension, such as hips and legs, as well as through the spine and upper back. You can choose one or the other variation depending on the day and how your body feels that day!

A quick tip for success

Oftentimes, it is very tempting to give it your all on the “good” days. However, it is very essential that you stay mindful of your overall energy capacity. I always like to remind my students and clients that a good rule of thumb is to opt for 60-70% on the good days, and do even less than you think you can on the days your body seem to be dragged by a ton of bricks.

Furthermore, it is not required for you to complete the entire 13 minutes of this practice at all! Do what you can, and if you need to stop 2 minutes in, then that is your practice for the day!

If any type of movement does not sound appealing to you, you can start with these simple breathing practices, seated or reclined.

For more support

For more video practices like these where you can focus on just your practice without being swallowed up by YouTube, you can join my Sacred Nurture On-Demand Library, a virtual yoga studio dedicated to help you rise above your health challenges. New recorded practices added each week!