Taking Care of Your Back

  [View Online]( INSPIRATION [Taking Care of Your Back]( The back and spine serves as the pillar of your body, holding and supporting you on many levels. Our bodies — and the various parts — carry layers of meaning and purpose, beyond the physical and functional. For example, our heart pumps and circulates blood and oxygen, so we can live. And it holds a much deeper significance as the source of our love, courage, and even our soul. Similarly, our back is much more than meets the eye. Physically, our back and spine serve as the pillar of our body, holding and supporting us. They maintain our balance, coordination, and posture, as well as protect our spinal cord and nerves. Metaphorically, our back represents the support and stability we seek in life — the people, values, and beliefs that uphold us to live in alignment with our authenticity. We often hear or say things like “I got your back” to communicate to someone that they can count on us to be there for them. We create a figurative "backbone" in our lives, enabling us to navigate life with resilience, grace, and openness. Our physical back also encompasses emotional and mental well-being. Our backs carry the weight of stress, tension, and emotional burdens we’ve accumulated. Practices like meditation or gentle movement and stretches can help lighten the load. By consciously letting go of our emotional burdens, we free ourselves from their physical impact and create space for emotional healing. Child’s pose is a gentle way to release stuck emotions and tension from your back, shoulders, and neck: Start by kneeling on the floor with your big toes touching and your knees hip-width apart. Sit back on your heels and slowly lower your torso towards the ground, folding forward. As you fold forward, extend your arms out in front of you with your palms facing down. Gently lower your forehead toward the floor, allowing your spine to lengthen and your tailbone to reach toward your heels. Take slow, deep breaths, and relax your entire body in this pose. Stay in Child's pose for 5-10 breaths or longer if desired, focusing on deepening your breath and releasing any tension. When you have finished, give gratitude to your back and body for supporting you. Did you like this Inspiration? ❁ Did you miss yesterday's inspiration? Click [here]( to view them all. ♥ Love this inspiration? Share with a friend](   DailyOM Course Spotlight [Psoas Stretches to Relieve Lower Back Pain]( By Dakota Mays Your psoas muscles are located close to the spine near the bottom of the pelvis, and they are the key to alleviating chronic pain in the lower back, upper back, hips, and hamstrings. This course by yoga instructor, martial artist, and movement specialist teacher Dakota Mays will teach you how to release and strengthen your psoas muscles with beginner-friendly yoga flows and postural alignment exercises that will break the chains of tightness and pain. You’ll also receive deep hip exercises and breathing practices that release, process, and regulate trapped emotions that may be stored in these areas of your body. [Learn More]( New Courses - [Gentle Yoga to Rebuild Strength and Flexibility]( - [Metabolism Reset: Stop Storing Fat and Repair Your Health]( - [Uncoupling Without Emotional Damage]( - [Increase Your Muscle Tone After 40 for Women]( - [Fix It With Food: Heal Your Body]( Recommended For You [A Year of Writing to Uncover the Authentic Self]( [Learn More]( [Journal Prompts to Change Your Life]( [Learn More]( [Spoonbenders Course]( [Learn More]( [The 9-Minute Science-Based Workout]( [Learn More]( [Meditation for Spiritual Awakening]( [Learn More]( [Overcoming Self-Sabotage]( [Learn More]( Top 10 Courses 1. [Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor]( 2. [A Vagus Nerve Belly Bloat Rescue]( 3. [The Vagus Nerve Miracle]( 4. [Sacred Sexuality: Open the Energy of Intimacy]( 5. [The 10-Minute Method to Naturally Tighten Your Face]( 6. [The Science of Medical Intuition]( 7. [Go Sleeveless in 14 Days]( 8. [Somatic Exercises to Relax and Release]( 9. [Transverse Abs Workout for Instant Relief]( 10. [Holistic Vagus Nerve Stretches for Immediate Relief]( Explore 350+ Courses There's something for everyone. What do you want to learn today? [Browse by Topic]( [DailyOM Logo](   [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Pinterest]( [Twitter]( You are receiving this email because you're subscribed to DailyOM. You are registered with {EMAIL}. [Inspirations]( | [Courses]( | [Horoscopes]( [Remove me from this list]( | [Help/FAQ]( Copyright © 2024 [Everyday Health, Inc.]( All rights reserved. DailyOM is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. 114 Fifth Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10011 Subject to our [terms of service]( and [privacy policy](.