There has been a plethora of feedback to the article in the New York Times “How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body”. To clarify my view on yoga:
- Yoga can be extremely beneficial when monitored and done correctly (F.Y.I. I do yoga myself!)
- Certain poses place the spine in positions that are high risk with particular spinal disorders
- No pain should be experienced during any poses
- Start with an instructor that closely monitors your positions
- Make your instructor aware of all medical conditions and what they would recommend to limit in the class prior to starting
- DO NOT continue with an instructor that doesn’t modify poses for your condition. “You MUST do it this way” is a phrase if you hear once you should get out of the class.
- Consult with your physician or physical therapist prior to starting a program
I wanted to bring attention to a form of yoga called Viniyoga that emphasizes adjusting postures based on the physical limitations of the student. I like this approach especially for those that have significant past or present orthopedic conditions.
My goal in my last blog post on yoga was to merely caution any person that yoga along with many other types of exercises have inherent risks. Yoga is often perceived by many as relatively “risk free” and this can lead a student to allowing their “guard down”.
Just north of Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus, NJ a studio called Yoga Synthesis in Ramsey that has classes for Viniyoga.
Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus, NJ provides orthopedic and sports physical therapy services for the greater Ridgewood, Paramus, and Bergen County region. This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. The views expressed here are the author’s views and should be taken as suggestions. Always consult your physician before engaging in a physical therapy or rehabilitative regimen.