Before you spread out your yoga mat, take a moment to think. It would not be surprising if you have some unrealistic expectations of yourself. Yoga has recently gotten a misleadingly glamorous reputation. It's borrowed some of Hollywood's luster without losing its mystical allure.
But please do not make decisions based upon your curiosity. Too many students are anxious to contort their bodies into aching, injured human pretzels-because they assume advanced, unnatural poses are the most beneficial ones. Most of us will benefit from some kind of yoga practice-but it's important to be cautious. Know how to avoid injury, and practice only what is safe for you.
Many yoga-related injuries can be prevented by keeping both your mind and your body flexible. Your competitive spirit--that unstoppable drive to do more, go faster, and stretch farther is invaluable, except during yoga class! It might seem like more is better, but overstretching will actually slow you down. Muscles have to be both flexible and strong to properly support major joints like the knees. Keep them in top shape by balancing gentle stretches with strength-building exercise.
Yoga also involves the bearing of extra weight upon joints. It's easy to put too much pressure your wrists, ankles, hips, or shoulders. But there is no added benefit to straining any of your joints. If you have any pain, numbness, or a sensation of pins and needles, stop.
Yoga practice should not strain your hips, your lower back, or your neck, either. Not everyone begins with strong core muscles, so even basic poses can cause some students to have hip pain. Be especially careful not to overextend when you stretch spinal muscles. Quick movements or strenuous practice can nudge your vertebrae painfully out of alignment.
But when it comes to safe yoga, your muscles and bones don't get all the attention. Your yoga exercise also affects your circulation. Be very watchful if you try an inverted pose-one in which your head is above your heart. Blood pressure rises when you take this unnatural position. And advanced, inverted poses have been linked to a rare but serious kind of stroke.
In 2001, actress Sharon Stone put a memorable face on the condition, called "arterial inversion." Physicians reported that the strain and abrupt head movements of strenuous yoga practice were to blame.
Now that you are more aware of the dangers of these not-so-gentle kinds of yoga practice, you're ready for more relaxing and safer practice. Leave your superhero cape at home, and forget about those pretzels!
The great news is, almost anyone can benefit from practicing a gentler kind of yoga. Don't worry that advancing age, a chronic health condition, pain, or disability will stop you. Try yoga! Be gentle with yourself, and be safe.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
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