Q: My lower back hurts when I do a Bridge pose (Setubandhasana) I really like this pose, what can I do to to keep doing this pose without pain?

Bridge pose can compress the lower back where the vertebrae meet to sacrum if not done correctly.  This cannot only be uncomfortable but bad for the lower back in the long run as we age.  Done properly Bridge is a great pose for opening the lower chakra centers to allow breath and chi to flow more freely, strengthening the legs, building and balancing the strength in the core (abdominal area and trunk of the body) and the lower back--both equally important as structurally they support one another. 

For Bridge, lie down on your back and walk your feet towards your hips so that your knees are bent. Feet are about hip distance apart and grounded into the mat, toes are lifted. Knees are lined up directly over the feet. Arms are relaxed down at your sides, palms facing downward. Inhale and press your lower back firmly into the mat, exhale and begin peeling your lower, middle and upper back up off the mat. Breath into the front body here, you can watch your chest rise and fall with your breath. Stay here for 5 deep, long breaths. Each time you inhale fill your body with that breath, each time you exhale press your feet down and use your strong leg muscles to press your pubic bone up toward the ceiling.  Keep breathing into the whole length of your body and the next time you exhale gently reach your knees toward the wall in front of you to continue that lengthening of the spine. These are the two movements in bridge that will elongate and lengthen your lower back and keep it safe.  Picture your vertebrae as a strand of pearls--you want to create as much space between each pearl as possible instead of rubbing the pearls against one another, which could ruin them. Breathe and feel. To release, on an exhale, lower first your upper back, then your middle back and finally your lower back--keeping the pubic bone press up toward the ceiling the whole time you are lowering down.  Stretch your legs out long and then reach your arms up overhead, coming into along, luxurious cat-stretch. Take a few breaths to feel the echo of bridge posture on your body. Notice where you feel sensation and emotion and pay special breath attention to those areas.