Well, I'm far from a yoga expert, but the teachers in the classes I have taken have all made a point of telling us to only do the moves that are within our abilities.  "If it hurts, don't do it."  They particularly stressed that the balance moves were optional.

I do hope you find a good teacher who can understand and work within your limits.  I love yoga, and find it not only very relaxing, but very good exercise also.

Good luck!

Have you tried Tai Chi?  It is a form of martial arts that is very good at balance training.

http://www.ctaichi.com/product/what-why.html

Dr. Chen has a video out.  He has adapted his tai chi for all kinds of physical restrictions with good results.

you're welcome.  sometimes us PT's are *whispers* nice, but don't let on, our feared reputations are what get us results  shhhhhhhhhhh

BB, did you know that the word Guru means teacher? 
Instructors who have never suffered an injury really can't comprehend someone who has one.  So, if you decide to try again in your area, see if you can find someone who has personal experience w/back injuries.  You may find someone w/o a back injury that has taken special training for back work.  Ask!

I'm sorry your experience wasn't what you needed it to be.  One of the things that comes with the practice is learning how to modify the postures to accomodate your issues.  We all have issues (injury, limited range of motion, other health situations) and so must work at the level we find ourselves.

There is no reason in my opinion that you couldn't use either a chair or wall to assist you in your balance postures.  We begin to loose our ability to balance around age 40.  This becomes particularly concerning when you consider osteoperosis.  Good news is that you can get your balance back, and increase your range of motion.  By how much just depends on your body.

Your abdominal strength is a major player in supporting your back as well as managing balance.  Perhaps this would be a good place to start.  Rodney Yee has an abs video that I own and like, I think it is called Abs Yoga.  Check out your local library to see if you can find something you like.  Now, having said that I do recommend you find a real live teacher to help you modify and adjust the positions for your safety.  In my style of teaching, I advise finding your comfortable and steady limit.  Here the pose if comfortable enough to be held for a  long time (not that you will hold it long) and steady meaning that the level of sensation is not so intense as to agitate the mind.  If you cannot return your attention to your breath, you have gone too far for what your body is ready to handle.  Tricky part is that EVERYONE has their own comfortable and steady limit for each pose and each side of the body so there is no room for comparing your posture to anyone elses.  Staying within your comfortable, steady limit will keep you safe and allow you to make consistent gains in your practice.  So what if your heels never reach the floor in down dog?  Accepting the pose for what it is is challenging, teaching us to be free from self judgement.  Swami Kripalu said that when we judge oursleves we are breaking our own hearts.  So its not about how deep you get into the pose, as long as you are within your comfortable, steady limits you'll be right where you need to be.  Even if you go in 1/4", if it is your limit that's just what it is.

Try www.kripalu.org and see if there's a teacher in your area.

http://www.kripalu.org/find_a_teacher/58/

My first teacher was Kripalu and I was only a couple of years into my recovery from my back injury.  From my first class I felt so much better that I knew I wanted to practice yoga for the rest of my life (I think I was 22 or 23 at the time).  Little did I know I'd become a teacher.

As you check things out and/or begin a practice, please feel free to consult me and PM me if you want to talk on the phone.

Don't be afraid to try different teachers.  You're more likely to get hurt if you don't trust them.

Good Luck, if I can be of more help please let me know!

Namaste!

i'm so sorry that you have to be in so much pain

hope you find someone that will understand your situation

Good Luck

BB - I am really sorry about your pain - you sure do manage to keep yourself "up" and going and I know that's very hard.

Is anyone here familiar with myofascial release or active release techniques?  I tried it and actually did get some relief.  The good practitioners lead you into yoga and others methods to maintain ...g

oh my - ballet??  I couldn't do ballet when I was a kid and had all my working parts!   

It is a thought, however.  I understand how the basics could help with flexibility and balance.   I'll keep this in mind if I can't find a yoga class.