Avoid Common Yoga Injuries
Wednesday, November 1
Injuries can occur with just about any sport and, believe it or not, yoga is no exception. More than 3,700 yoga-related injuries occurred in 2004, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, resulting in nearly $11 million in medical care. Repetitive strain and overstretching of the neck, shoulders, spine, legs and knees were found to be the most common injuries.
Before taking up that yoga pose, be sure to keep a few things in mind. First, individuals with any preexisting injuries or medical conditions should consult with their physician before attempting yoga. Once you’ve been given the green light, make sure that you find a qualified yoga instructor with the appropriate credentials and experience. Wear clothing that ensures proper movement, warm up your muscles sufficiently, and then start out slow until you’ve learned the basics. If you’re unsure about any pose, be sure to ask questions. Most importantly, however, listen to your body and pay attention to your limits.
Practicing Yoga In Bed
Wednesday, November 1
It’s true, you can practice yoga in bed, and we’re not just talking about Tantra yoga. Yoga in Bed: 20 Asanas to Do in Pajamas is a new 55-minute DVD written and directed by New York City yoga instructor Edward Vilga.
The DVD includes two primary sections for morning poses and evening poses, along with another section called Lingering in Bed which has you holding poses for about three minutes for ultimate relaxation. Cristy Candler demonstrates the poses, including the morning Sunrise Stretch which has you lying on the bed with legs extended and arms overhead while gently stretching, and the evening Rub the Slate Clean pose which has you briskly rubbing the third-eye area of the forehead with the heel of the palm. Yoga in bed may not be ideal as your primary means of practicing yoga, but it is no doubt a good way to wake up and start the day or relax and end the evening.
Combat Performance Anxiety With Yoga
Wednesday, November 1
Recent clinical evidence suggest that yoga and meditation are not just beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety and improving fitness but that they can also help to reduce performance anxiety.
Dr. Satbir Sing Khalsa, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School, studied the effects of yoga on performance anxiety among a group of musicians. He found that a combination of yoga techniques, including breathing exercises, poses and meditation, could enhance the production of the hormone Corisol which aids in the body’s response to stress. Furthermore, the practice of yoga can help to control anxiety, dispel stage fear, and improve concentration.