Killer Moves

Skipped publishing most of my stuff written coz.  there is enough and more on most subjects on the internet these days . … here is one though that I felt is important to get across

This content is about serious risks in the popular health benefiting practice called Yoga. And its not a rare occurrence ...the deleterious impact is being seen more commonly nowadays / (or it could be because I am noticing it more.  ) Note: Breathwork Practice in Yoga is not discussed in this blog . They are reasonably harmless and induce a level of tranquility.  

 

Where does Yoga figure in the big picture. What are the roots ? A basic explanation below.........

Fundamentals:

Yoga is essentially to help unite the Jivathma with the Paramathma( hence Yog = Unite to achieve Samadhi )

-        - Was practiced by Sadhus, Rishis and needs severe penance, meditation , breathwork etc.

-        - Which needed sitting in one place with spine erect with free flowing breath across both nostrils ( Ida and Pingala if u need the tech jargon ). Sitting meditatively for months with a free flowing breath was expected for spiritual enlightenment ( and for you  too if you intend to become a rishi or achieve samadhi )

-        -Which needed a strong body . Note that sitting is alien to the body . Sitting Damages the spine. So spine strengthening is key in Yoga.

Essentially all of the asanas have a medical component to correct any weakness so one can sit in  penance for months.

Yoga is hence medicine. Remembering this is critical. Every posture is a exquisite technique and needs to be taken seriously.

Any medical advice needs a qualified professional to recommend.  

If a good teacher is unavailable  Cardio  (like running /brisk walking ) and strength(weight) training are good enough for the human body. These are mandatory too . 

For flexibility some simple bends and twists are sufficient. 

What is the real scene out there:

Asanas in yoga are closely connected to Accupressure. Form is important. Mastering a pose , holding it and getting out of the pose are critical. This breaks chakra blockages and allows healing to happen.

However it is commonly observed that either the master is not competent ,  in a hurry,  or just bored by routine . An asana is taught and forgotten assuming that all is well.  Herein lies the problem.

Some eg.

An asana( say step 1 of surya nasmaskar )  involves a back bend at the hip. Common mistake to see student’s hand going behind and neck bends back where the hip moves only a bit. Repeated wrong movement causes neck injury

Another ( say step 2 of surya namaskar ) involves a forward bend at the hip with spine straight. The hamstring extends and is good if done correctly. However extremely common to see student’s spine bending and hands touch the floor. Spine bent repeatedly is exremely risky. 

High risk variations:

-        Using Surya namaskar as a cardio exercise. Like doing 20 plus surya namaskars that too fast and in quick succession. I was shocked to see this in a class. Every pose was wrong as there is hardly time to attain form or move in and and out of each asana.   

-        For Variety some teachers modify core asanas. These result in loss of balance, over straining ; which is a direct damage to the lower back.  Inversions, Twists, Bends need to be done exactly as prescribed by Sage Patanjali.  Yoga teachers have no business to modify  to give variety. 

Consequences: Please expect drastic consequences of the same kind which happens when taking unprescribed medicines repeatedly .

Temporary / permanent disability, mostly resulting from spinal injuries are guaranteed when practicing these asanas regularly for months/years.  The only reason why most people do not get impacted adversely is that they are extremely irregular in their Yoga practice or do not do many asanas.

Solution:

Critically analyse the teacher and yourself. Each pose has a medical component:    Repeat: Yoga is medicine.    Record your asana practice as a video and see the correct way to do it on youtube too. You will be surprised how wrong you are.  Please endeavor to do each asana slowly and correctly.  There is no hurry or a need to do a lot on the same day.  Eg. Padha hasthasan  to achieve a clean pose takes 15 days to a month.

And if done correctly you are likely to enjoy Yoga's benefits .  Else your life is in peril ! This is not panic mongering folks. 

Do note that yoga need not be your primary fitness routine. If 60 mins is what one can devote to fitness; Cardio 30min, Strength 20min and Flexibility 10min is an ideal mix. 

( repeating the earlier note: Breathing related asanas are good and are amazing relaxation techniques )