I want to second the vote of the guy who talked about yoga's benefits for the back. For close to 20 years I had a hinky back that required regular trips to the chiropractor. Even then I would get at least one prolonged (1-2 week) back attack per year. The sort of thing that gets you walking sideways, like a crab.
Anyway, since I started doing yoga four years ago I have not had any serious back attacks nor do I visit the chirorpractor much. Occasionally, maybe every 18 months, my back will get just the tiniest bit flaky; I'll visit the chiro once, take it easy for a day or two, do yoga, and it's all over in three days.
I do yoga with a bunch of guys ranging in age from 45 to 72, and we mostly do it for the stretching and the relaxation (hatha yoga). It really does straighten your head out.
I have no doubt that enough yoga would strengthen your back, your abs, and your hamstrings especially. But for great results, you'd probably have to put in as much time as you would in some alternate exercise: on the order of an hour or more per day.
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