Is Yoga damaging your back?

Here are five tips for a happy back to take to your Yoga class.

1)     Develop awareness

Back problems stem mainly from chronicle muscle tightening, unhealthy postural habits and misalignments.  What is going on in your back in the yoga class? Does it hurt? Does it feel good? Listen carefully!

 

2)     Ditch the Myths

The most damaging myth which students bring from the gym to the yoga studio is the ‘no pain no gain’ mindset. This belief is usually the one who gets backs hurt in the first place. Do you know of someone who goes to a yoga class and gets a back problem?

 

3)     Strengthen your Core

A sure way to a healthy back is a strong core. Yoga starts in the mind and in the centre of the body with  a few postures to activate, not overdo the abs. Yogis are not body builders.

 

4)     Strengthen your Back

Sometimes people damage their backs forcing their way through postures that are the very remedy for their backs. A healthy back benefits from moving all directions i.e. forward bends, back bends, side bends, twists, rotation. What can be a better way to prevent or release blockages?  

5)     Stretch those Hamstrings

The flexibility of your hamstring has a big impact on the health of your back. They affect postural alignment by pulling your sitting bones and flattening the normal curve of the lumbar. Let’s get those hamstring stretched!

Do you know what is your dosha?

According to Ayurveda each of us is born with a unique constitution which manifests as a combination of the three major doshas or vital energies in the body. Our doshas determine our constitutions, preferences, personality traits, sleeping patterns and the foods we should eat.

Vata

Element: ether and air

Often thin and restless, with irregular eating and sleeping patterns, dry skin, long, angular faces, small eyes, irregular teeth, narrow lips. Decisive but with an erratic memory. Adapts easily, acts quickly, is alert, enthusiastic, focused, positive and creative. Often dreams about running, flying, jumping. Loves movement and change.

Pitta

Element: Fire and water

Tend to be of medium frame and height. Slender, often fair and freckled, with heart-shaped faces, neat noses, pale eyes, yellowish teeth, reddish or yellowish complexion. They are decisive, open to new ideas and skilled in using words. Natural leaders but with a tendency to jealousy and anger. Fiery personalities, over-competitive and judgemental. Normally healthy and strong, with good immunity. Often hungry and with a large appetite.

Kapha

Element: Water and earth

Strong, with well-proportioned bodies and a tendency towards excess weight. Prone to oversleeping. Oily-skinned, thick wavy hair, large blue or brown eyes. Steady regular appetite They are intelligent, speak clearly and have a strong immune system and abundant vital energy. Love piece, quiet and stability , dislike change and avoid exercises. A good friend, patient, compassionate, forgiving. Have a sensitive, intuitive and calm nature. Good at encouraging others. Aversion to foggy weather.

 

Why too much flexibility is not always good for you

Often people assume  that they are not very good in yoga because they are unable to touch their toes or get into pretzel shapes. I personally feel that it is better that students are a bit stiff than too flexible as too much flexibility often causes them more harm than good in the long run.  

The most important lesson for beginners is to learn to respect their boundaries when it comes to stretching. Whereas it is normal to feel a slight discomfort in stronger stretches it is important to know when to stop and take a step back if in pain.  

Although some flexibility is good, hyperflexibility can stress and damage the joints when the muscles and ligaments are not strong enough to take the strain of a deep stretch.

Building muscular strength helps not only yoga practice but also keeps the student fit for life preventing the onset of chronic musculoskeletal diseases, such as arthritis and osteoporosis, especially in women. Stronger people are lighter and able to move their bodies with greater ease.