| Yoga Moves Can Lead To Injury If Done Wrong |
| Written by Kim Archer | |
| Monday, 12 April 2010 | |
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Everyone knows that doing yoga is a great way of improving your overall health. It is a form of exercise that can help with weight loss, the meditation aspects help with stress relief, and the stretching will result in greater flexibility and fewer toxins in the body. But despite all these benefits, there have been instances when yoga moves actually resulted in health problems, specifically neck and back injuries that were quite serious.
Yoga exercises have become a popular way to improve health, maintain a normal body weight, relieve stress and stretch for a more flexible body. All of these are very helpful for any age, but for older Americans, the benefits are even more important. The stretching becomes more important as baby boomers age, and meditation helps in reducing stress that can be caused by not only caring for elderly parents, but also supporting adult children and helping with grandchildren. However, there are warnings that must be taken seriously before embarking upon a program of yoga moves. Most people are aware of how such exercises can improve physical, mental and spiritual health. An instructor who presents information at the first class is doing you a service of teaching not only the techniques but also explaining the benefits that yoga provides. However, it is important to know that injuries can occur and thus the positions need to be done properly. A good instructor should be watching you and making sure that you aren't damaging your body. A beginner's class is the place to start with yoga moves. Not only should you have talked to your doctor about what you are planning to do, but you need to inform the instructor of any pre-existing conditions, such as past injuries, chronic immune system conditions like fibromyalgia, or even heart and lung problems. Beginners need to learn to listen to their own bodies and not attempt any exercises that could cause a flare up of an old injury, or place a strain on muscles, heart or lungs. While you may feel comfortable during the class, the next day you may feel aches and pains that you didn't have before. Probably the biggest problem that occurs is when you do the exercises without warming up properly. All yoga classes should have a warm-up session at the beginning of the class, and different stretching exercises to get your joints loose and limber. The important thing is that you don't overdo the stretches. A posture that was easy one day might be next to impossible the next, and so it is important to have realistic expectations of what your body can accomplish. Never look at it as a competition, either with yourself or with someone else. Like all forms of physical exercise, yoga moves need to be done slowly and properly with the support of an instructor. The benefits are many if they are done properly and you aren't pushing your body beyond its limits. Looking at the benefits and also being aware of the risks are important to remember. A well informed instructor will be able to prevent you from becoming injured, and also work with you so that you are doing the positions, the breathing and the stretching properly. All forms of exercise take commitment and time, and yoga is one form of exercise that has many positive benefits. The Article Author: Yoga helps you focus your mind and improve your body, and choosing the right routine can enhance your workout considerably. Simple yoga techniques are best for beginners. Find out more at Yoga Information. |
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