I've been doing 3 levels a day for the last week & have been experiencing back pain. Can it be coming from the chair positions on L3?
Shelby

Hi- I've been going at it for a week - our we both over doing it? I feel the same way - it's in my back and hips - hope someone will know the answer for both of us. Lauren

Shelby and Lauren,
I'm sorry to hear about your aching backs! Wow, Shelby, 3 workouts a day? That's awesome! But don't work too hard too fast. Jill always says to "listen" to your body... maybe your bodies are both saying, "Hey, you need to slow down a little!"

Be sure to "tilt" your pelvis in the right direction when you do the Pelvic Tilt... by tucking in your "buns" in and flattening the curve in your back (rather than making it more curved.) Also work on pulling the lower abdominal muscles in (scooping) as if trying to pull your belly-button flat against your spine.

It's hard to say what might be causing the pain. But if you suspect that certain body positions are making your pain worse, leave those out for now and just repeat positions that are more comfortable for you.

Sitting CAN be uncomfortable for any kind of back injury. So you might want to omit chair positions for a while and see if that helps.

Before Oxycise! Jill had disc problems and lots of pain with her back, and had to take pain medication. But she says that the abdominal strengthening she has gained from Oxycise! has greatly reduced her pain and she rarely takes pain-killers any more. We've heard many other comments from customers who also have back problems who say they have noticed improvement in their backs since doing Oxycise!

Here are some "user friendly" positions for backs that are hurting:

The Pelvic Tilt from Level 1: lay on your back with knees up and feet on the floor. Relax and inhale, then tighten your abs and press your lower back toward the floor. (This is essentially what you should be doing with your lower back in any position, as you do a "pelvic tilt"). Really "scoop" with your lower abs. The more you strengthen these muscles, the better support you will give to your spine.
Let your lower back return to its normal position and relax your abs for each new inhale.
To this position you can add the "Pec Press" if you wish, for some arm work.


The "Cat" position from "Abs & Upper Body":
On your hands and knees, relax your abs and inhale, then arch your back upward as you do the Lift, 3 sniffs, exhale, etc. At the same time, scoop your abs in well as you do the arch. Let your back return to it's normal position as you relax and inhale.

If either of you end up going to a doctor or physical therapist, you can also combine the Oxycise! Basic Breath with any exercises your doctor recommends.

Hope you both feel better soon!

I have found that doing the pelvic tilt on Level 1 has really helped my back pain numerous times. My chiropractor had given me some exercises to do for my back, and one of them was very similar to this, minus the breathing, so I just do my Oxy breaths with it, and it really makes a difference!
Hope you ladies are better soon! Susanna