Are your mind, body and spirit out of tune? You might think about pulling out the yoga mat. Yoga is practiced by millions worldwide to reduce stress, increase flexibility and improve overall health, but some experts warn that all of those complex stretches and maneuvers could be doing serious damage to your body. Is yoga the secret to a healthy life, or could you just be kicking yourself?
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Physical Therapists Concur That Stiff is Better Than Flexible
Dr Bernard Preston, DC
Shirley's answer is like the parson's egg: good in parts. Yes, I would agree - people with highly flexible joints do seem to be more prone to injury. Perhaps because they tend to flex too far without using their knees for example. I often say those who can pick strawberries without bending their knees are more prone to back pain!
But, and it's a big but, those with very stiff joints are also prone to injury. We aren't comparing apples with apples. She is talking about people with congenital hypermobile joints whereas the opposition is talking about acquired stiffness through injury and disease.
I have no doubt whatsoever that stretching stiff joints and muscles, and that is what good yoga is about - training of instructors in this debate is irrelant surely - has benefit. But overstretching of hypermobile joints, yes, can be detrimental. As in picking strawberries!
- Barrie Lewis
November 13, 2008 1:38AM
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