Food for thought for all you yoga enthusiasts: VERY interest

KatieJane83

...from the New York Times Magazine. Thought it was worth sharing.

Full internet link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/magazine/how-yoga-can-wreck-your-body.html?_r=1&ref=magazine

Mobile link: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/magazine/how-yoga-can-wreck-your-body.xml

Ruthaw1961

I have read that article and did find it interesting and discussed with a few yoga instructors. I have been lucky that instructors that I have had stress that you must respect your body foremost and that yoga practice is a journey. Not everyone is as flexible nor should advanced poses be done without adequate instruction and experience.

The same injury levels are found in other types of exercise routines too. Heavy lifting with poor form, running on hard surfaces with improper footware, attempting to run a marathon or do plyo moves at 300+ lbs a la The biggest Loser...all potential for serious injury.

Check your ego at the door of your fitness facility whether it be the yoga studio, cross-fit box, or your local rec center and use your head!

chicklidell

I have read that article and did find it interesting and discussed with a few yoga instructors. I have been lucky that instructors that I have had stress that you must respect your body foremost and that yoga practice is a journey. Not everyone is as flexible nor should advanced poses be done without adequate instruction and experience.

The same injury levels are found in other types of exercise routines too. Heavy lifting with poor form, running on hard surfaces with improper footware, attempting to run a marathon or do plyo moves at 300+ lbs a la The biggest Loser...all potential for serious injury.

Check your ego at the door of your fitness facility whether it be the yoga studio, cross-fit box, or your local rec center and use your head!

Couldn't agree with you more! :drinker:

kirstysnan

I hurt my leg badly last June after returning to Yoga after some time away from it. I went to a Hatha yoga class which I thought was gentler. I injured my knee also at Yoga 10 years ago and had post traumatic arthritis, however it got better with the help of deep water aerobics.
This time we did a position that twisted the leg out to the right. Aware of my knee I was careful and kept stopping an din the end gave up. Even experienced regular attendees said it was a tough exercise. Within a few says my knee was sore and I was limping but soon afterwards I was screaming in pain if I moved.
I could barely walk for two months, had to use a stick, couldn't sleep. Eventually after physio and £250 spent on an osteopath it has got better but I still limp, I still have pain after I've been sitting and I still have to sleep on my back with a knee pad and pillows and I awake extremely stiff and sore. I had muscles in cramp, knots in my ligaments and an inflamed hip. It has brought on arthritis in my hip. I've been water jogging but am nowhere near getting back to deep water aerobics
Be careful!!

JennyZD

Yoga poses shouldn't hurt. You work your way towards the more advanced poses. It took me almost a year to get into a headstand and there were a lot of postures I made to work my way to that. I've been lucky enough to have instructors that understand and promote that you're not competing against anyone (not even yourself) in your practice. For me posture and form is more important than getting further in the stretches.