Once again the controversy over the safety of yoga rears its head. Yoga expert Glenn Black reportedly recommends that many people should give up yoga because of the large numbers of injuries he has witnessed. He says that some people are reluctant to admit to their yoga instructors that they suffered an injury in class.
The above video presents the controversy and also includes an interview with a yoga instructor who says that she is not surprised by Black's viewpoint but that she believes that the yoga can benefit virtually everyone. To avoid injury she advises people to do their research to determine the best type of class of style of yoga for themselves. And, she states that in her yoga studio instructors offered time before and after classes to meet with students to discuss their individual needs and concerns.
What I felt was missing in the discussion was the following advice:
1) assess where you are physically before starting a yoga class or practice - how active have you been over the past year or two (or even decade). If you have been quite sedentary - begin with EXTRA caution
2) start out SLOWLY - with baby steps and notice how your muscles, limbs, and overall body FEEL in every phase of a pose- if your muscles feel tight - be patient - let them unwind over time
3) go only as far as you are reasonably comfortable - if you experience pain - back up!
4) alwys listen to your body first and the instructor (or instructions) second and realize that how limber you may feel can fluctuate daily
5) compete only with yourself- don't do more than what is comfortable for you because other people can do a certain pose with ease.
Yours for practicing yoga with wisdom (aka common sense - too often overlooked!),
Laura Venecia Rodriguez, the Beginners Home Yoga Coach
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