Yoga and Injuries: Clear and present danger
| September 22, 2011 | Posted by Jean Hoiland under Anatomy, Jean Hoiland |
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Hip, back, shoulder and groin pain are common complaints yoga teachers hear from students. As instructors working with a group of individuals we do our best to accommodate and adapt the practice to those attending: and we truly believe yoga is a wonderful practice for keeping us calm, fit and youthful. The problem is far too many people take up yoga at the advice of a doctor or chiropractor or when the pain has gotten so great you are willing to try anything. Not only do you wait until there is clear and present danger you may wait to show up only minutes prior to the start of class expecting yoga to be your miracle cure.
Years of poor posture, bad alignment and unhealthy habits can certainly be corrected through yoga. What many fail to realize or commit to is that there needs to be consistency and routine. Showing up once every few weeks while great, we would like to see you be as dedicated to your own health as we are as teachers in helping you.
Yoga is meant to be therapeutic and customized for the individual. Not all poses should be practiced by all students. For instance if you are someone who is already super flexible with joints bending in the opposite direction of everyone else in class, I got news for you, you do not need to become more flexible. Strength should be your focus and yoga taught by a skilled instructor can create functional strength while maintaining your flexibility. Stabilizing the joints is extremely important in order to avoid injury.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is “I can’t take yoga cause I’m not flexible”. What did that person just say, are you kidding me. It’s true, I have heard that more times than I care to count. If you can barely bend over to tie your shoes then you need a few specific stretches to help alleviate that stiffness.
A private session can really help improve your practice, posture and address your individual aches and pains. A personalized practice can be created for you by an experienced instructor. It doesn’t take as many sessions as you think and in 10 minutes key exercises if done regularly can greatly improve your recovery from injury or degenerative disease.
Give it some thought. I am happy to meet with you. My hours for private instruction are:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 6:00-9:00am
Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00amd and 1:00pm.
Sincerely,
Jean Hoiland RYT200
