OMG Yoga—The Risk and the Rewards

Whew! Just finished reading William Broad’s book, “The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards”.

I agree with Diane below.  Overall Broad does a service by ushering yoga into the age of scientific investigation. But; there are  “Risks”  in Broad’s book as well.  Here are a few.

Diane’s comments (below) are right on. I, too, practiced Shoulderstand up on blankets, (the way Iyengar personally taught me to!) until my late 30’s (1980) when I was told there was irreversible damage to me neck!  Bone spurs on my cervical spine!

I knew it was the incorrect practice of Shoulderstand!

Searching for answers, Vanda Scarfelli told me to keep the weight  on my elbows, away from my neck.  The head  then moves easily from side-to-side since the cervical spine is free.

The weight then rests on the shoulders (lovely; it takes the stress out of the shoulders!) and the occiput. (This is what creates all those good feelings!)

Also, there is never, ever a chin-lock!  And, never, ever tuck your shoulders under!
This compresses the cervical spine and prevents the head from moving easily from side to side.

Please see my video on the Shoulderstand, Plough and Fish for all of the Rewards with none of the Risks.

In the video I show why placing a blanket or blocks under your shoulders is bad for your neck. It brings the weight higher up your skull. The cervical spine is then crunched between your skull and the neck lock. Ouch!

How did I heal my neck? By practicing Shoulderstand correctly and with the addition of the Fish, which  is amazing for healing necks, (if practiced correctly) and always needs to be practiced after Shoulderstand.

More about William Broad’s book on my next blog!

If you have questions or comments, please let me know.

March 5, 2012
Diane Donovan, Yoga Teacher, Yoga Teacher Trainer – Grand Cayman Island

I just finished reading William Broad’s book “The Science of Yoga”.  I found it to be very good.  He has done a lot of research and his findings are fabulous.

We have been on the cutting edge all along.  I was pleased to hear that basically what we do is what he recommends – being aware, being smart, and taking things one baby step at a time …, that Yoga is not a workout; but, a work-in.

He doesn’t actually say not to do Headstand and Shoulderstand – he just says they shouldn’t be taught in big classes where the teacher is unable to monitor the students.

Unfortunately, the picture he has of doing Shoulderstand is one with the blankets under the shoulders and he seems to think that this is a safer way??? to do Shoulderstand.  I don’t get the impression that he really understands the dynamics of Shoulderstand.

But, what he says is what you have always taught – we do not want to put pressure on the neck or bring the chin to the chest – that it is in doing that, that we could cause arterial damage and possibly a stroke.

Throughout the book he says the benefits far outweigh the risks but that we have to be mindful, be smart in our practice.  He doesn’t go into the energetics of Yoga much at all – just the scientific perspective of Kundalini – and he doesn’t touch on the Spiritual aspects at all.  It is an easy read and I think everyone should read it!

Let me know what you think once you have read it.

Yes, I will, Diane.  As soon as I finish it, I will comment on it right here on my Blog.