Hi Quantum
I am not sure if you have read the existing post on sit-ups but in case you haven’t, here is the link: Proper situp form. In fact I will shift this post to the sit-up section! In it I detail bending up the legs for the second part of the sit-up. There are numerous ways to ensure you protect the back including proper use of the arms.
If your back cannot cope with a sit-up at this point in time then I would recommend avoiding them for a while. I like to teach that you bend the legs, roll to one side (and alternate sides for multiple sit-ups) place the hands under the shoulders, and push up from the floor. You want to avoid a twist in the spine so when you push up look at your hands and also let the arms take the weight.
In the meantime work on your core strength. Every so often you have to test your ability to do the sit-up.
There are alternatives to sit-ups and also alternative Savasana positions. For some people who have reactive lower back it is simply too difficult and time consuming to keep getting themselves to the floor to lie on their backs and then roll to the side and get up again. The transits cause them a lot of pain, can take forever and then they don’t have enough time to devote to their poses. For those who own the Hot Yoga MasterClass you can reference pages 183-185 and 198-203.
Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂
