There is a new report out that is stirring up quite a bit of controversy. The “New York Times” featured an article this past week on the dangers of yoga.
Yoga seems to be such a soothing, tranquil form of exercise. So how could something so serene be so dangerous?
Well the author of the article stated that a huge amount of injuries result from yoga. This has been met with a great deal of criticism, especially from proponents of yoga who believe that it’s benefits are more than just physical, they extend into emotional and mental areas of an individual’s life.
Now I certainly know that yoga has its benefits but I can’t help and give some credence to what this author is trying to say. Its not that yoga in itself is dangerous…it is more about doing more than your body is capable of handling or doing the moves incorrectly.
The article also talks about yoga teachers sometimes not being qualified enough to teach. I do believe that if you are going to have the responsibility of teaching fitness, you should be trained in it. Let’s be real here, injuries can happen in any type of exercise. That chance is increased when you are being trained by someone who really doesn’t know what they’re doing.
I really don’t see why so many people are getting upset. I think the article raises some valid points that should be considered. Personally, I am not a yoga person. I have done a little of it but I know enough that if you do a move incorrectly, there is definitely the chance of injuring yourself.
I think with any type of exercise, you have to consider the risks involved. Doing any move incorrectly or pushing your body beyond its limits is bound to create a problem. So just be smart when it comes to fitness. Do what you can and make sure you are doing it correctly, which may mean
ensuring your instructor/teacher is qualified.
Related Articles:
The Importance of Proper Breathing
Photo by wayfaring stranger in Flickr