The dangers of yoga

[FitChick]

I always shake my head when I read that people who have never exercised and/or people who are elderly or injured should do yoga. I have hurt myself too many times so I know better.

 

Of course, some people get benefit out of it but this article talks about many professionals who have wrecked their bodies, often to the point of becoming disabled. One size does NOT fit all when it comes to exercise so be very careful.

[tbf]

Yeah, people are crazy, pushing themselves too far. I've been doing yoga for years and when there's that real pain, I stop. Haven't hurt myself yet, never pulled a muscle, nothing.

[whichwayisup]

Exactly. It should be common sense not to push yourself into a position that you can't do or stay in a position for too long if it hurts.

 

Sounds like a really bad teacher who doesn't really understand the concept and zen of yoga!

[KraftDinner]

I hope this isn't off topic but it is along the lines of "one size does not fit all" with exercise.

 

People who are stressed are often told to do cardio to help relax them. Thing is, and it seems as though most people haven't heard this, but for many people with anxiety disorders, raising heart the rate can trigger adrenaline or something and kick off serious anxiety or even panic attacks.

 

Not saying they should never do cardio! Just not when anxiety is high. SOME people, I'm not saying all.

[tman666]

Good concepts can go poorly when misapplied. This tends to be true for a lot of things, I've found.

[Treasa]

This is why people should really take the advice, "Check with your doctor before blah blah blah."

[LurkerXX]

Not knowing limits pretty much crops up in any form of exercising-body-buildling to the point of tendon and muscle damage, running your knees out on concrete roads, pushing aerobic routines so far that micro-tears in the heart permanently damage it rather than strengthen it. Many people seem unaware (or are pressured by their wish to keep up with extreme results by their own externalized competitive nature or societal pressures) of when that risk-benefit ratio starts to cross into risk. For others, that it is just how they choose to live their life, and find what they get worth the risk.

 

But I suppose the reputation for yoga being gentle, and that it has passed from being fad into being a common form of exercise, merits the warning.

[dichotomy]

I do occasional "light" yoga. About once a week maybe twice. Once thing I noticed - is it was VERY hard to find an actual novice/beginner class or instruction video. Most were clearly intermediate.