The Perils of Yoga

My good friend Bar just referred me to this article published a few days ago in the New York Times. It describes all the not-so-well-known bad sides of doing yoga. It's pretty shocking, but I think that if you practice or you are thinking of practicing Yoga (or even Pilates), you should definitely read it.

Here are a couple of excerpts that caught my eye:

In 2009, a New York City team based at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons published an ambitious worldwide survey of yoga teachers, therapists and doctors. The answers to the survey’s central question — What were the most serious yoga-related injuries (disabling and/or of long duration) they had seen? — revealed that the largest number of injuries (231) centered on the lower back. The other main sites were, in declining order of prevalence: the shoulder (219), the knee (174) and the neck (110). Then came stroke. The respondents noted four cases in which yoga’s extreme bending and contortions resulted in some degree of brain damage. The numbers weren’t alarming but the acknowledgment of risk — nearly four decades after Russell first issued his warning — pointed to a decided shift in the perception of the dangers yoga posed.

A quote from an experienced (+40 years) Yoga instructor that had to undergo spinal surgery:

“My message was that ‘Asana is not a panacea or a cure-all. In fact, if you do it with ego or obsession, you’ll end up causing problems.’ A lot of people don’t like to hear that.”

I have recently fell in love with yoga (say, since last summer), but it was only after almost a year of exercising 3 to 4 times a week that I felt comfortable to practice it regularly. I had problems with my lower back back then and I could barely do low lounges (that is a long story itself). Luckily, I got scared (and not obsessed, as I usually tend to do), and didn't go back. I tried a variation of a yoga class a year later that I really liked, and decided to go for a full yoga practice afterwards. No pain. Today I really enjoy it, but it's also true that if I don't exercise regularly, it starts to come back. I never stopped going to my weight-lifting class and I try to run once or twice a week (not more than 25min, or my back/knees hurt). Now I know that I should definitely not quit any of these.

These are my main takeaways:

• Yoga can heal, but it can definitely hurt too.

• It's hard but imperative to know the limits of pain and of your body. 

• You should do yoga only after your body is strong enough, and look for other sources of strengthening exercises to complement and improve your practice. 

Maybe in the end exercise is a bit like agriculture (although I don't really know anything about it : P). We should not plant the same seeds over and over in the same soil if we don't want to exhaust it. We should find a balance between different crops. Especially as we age.

My favorite blend: yoga, Pilates, running, and swimming. What's yours?

UPDATE: My favorite yoga instructor just mentioned the article in our last session. I was thrilled. If there is something about a good instructor, is his or her consciousness about taking as much advantage as you can out from the practice without forgetting how to take care of your body. Kudos to Ann!