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Sciatica is a condition that is related to pain in the sciatic nerve. It usually occurs when this nerve is damaged or irritated by compression. The pain has been described as a jolt or sharp pain that follows the nerve in the lower back and into the legs. Sciatic nerve pain usually starts in the lower back or buttock region and shoots down the leg to the ankle or even the toes of the same side. This pain has been linked to a number of pain symptoms including a prickling type sensation, weakness of the muscles, numbness and tingling in same route as the nerve. Although it has been known to attack the body on one side it has also been know to affect both legs.

Sciatica is easily aggravated by standing or walking, creating a negative impact on your life and severely limiting your activities. Unfortunately, all that the conventional system of medicine offers for this situation is pain-killer drugs.

Alternative therapies have been proven to be beneficial for relief, and one such therapy is the ancient system of yoga. Yoga has a series of postures that stimulate specific nerve bundles in the body by relieving pressure in the nerves and channeling the inner life force towards that specific nerve bundle, herein lies the Yoga Sciatica Connection.

Twisted yoga poses and hip-openers have been known to help strengthen the core muscles of the back and pelvis, relieving pressure on the sciatic nerves and the spine, by opening them up. Yoga benefits Sciatica in a number of ways, not only does it help with relieving the pain but also reduces the number of episodes. To reduce your symptoms, it is advisable to have yoga sessions daily for 15 minutes. Some poses used for Sciatica relief are:

1. Sukhasana (with the spine twist) - On your yoga mat, sit down and fold your legs and then twist your back to the right and then to left, slowly stretching. 
2. Gomukhasana (seated position) - While seated, cross one leg over the other so that each heel of your foot is near your hip area on the opposite side .
3. Vajrasana - Simply sit on the heels of your feet in a kneeling posture,with your knees placed close together and place the palm of your hands on your knees.
4. Shashankasana or the hare pose - Pose yourself in the same position as Vajrasana and bend forward and place your forehead on the mat.Marjariasana or cat pose - Prop up on all fours (like a child that is crawling), stretch your neck backward.
5. Supta Padangusthasana and a variation - Lay on your backside, with one hand, pull your big toe on one foot, stretching the leg upward then dropping the corresponding side. The position is then done again on the opposite side.
6. Shavasana also referred to as the corpse pose - While lying on your backside, your legs and hands are relaxed like a corpse, and deep inhaling and exhaling is necessary.

A few words of advice, your body knows it limitations, learn to listen to it, never stretch it past its limitation while practicing yoga. Practice reading your body, don't over exert yourself, and make sure you rest between sets. Keep your body hydrated, at all times, while practicing yoga. Mild stretching is essential before you begin your session, the Shavasana relaxation technique should end each session to wind your body down. Yoga is better learned by a professional.