As a holistic practitioner, how do you see Yoga as a tool for therapeutic programs like chiropractic?With the appropriate application, yoga can be used to both prevent and rehabilitate injury. Certain yoga poses can be used to lengthen tight muscles, while others can be used to strengthen weak muscles. Many injuries are due to weak links in the body. Often, people assume that their injuries are due to tight muscles. However, typically weak muscles cause other muscles to compensate for their strength limitations; this leads to injury not only in the assisting muscles, but also in the weak muscles. It also places the joints that these muscles cross at risk for injury. Therefore, although many people believe yoga’s primary therapeutic purpose is to improve flexibility, in regards to injury prevention and rehabilitation, yoga can also be used to improve strength and stability, as well as proprioception (balance). The combination of all of these benefits can aid patients from a therapeutic perspective.
Yoga is a practice that is meant to be understood thoroughly as yoga can cause just as many injuries as it can help prevent or rehabilitate. Therefore, make sure that you comprehend each of the poses you practice and why you are doing them. It is wise to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your body to know how yoga can be used to your advantage. Every person’s yoga practice should be unique as we all have individual strengths and weaknesses that must be considered in every move we make on our mats.
As participation in yoga classes increases, it appears that more attention is on the "science of Yoga", especially in terms of injury prevention. In regards to instruction, what do you feel needs to be made known to the general public in order to make Yoga a life-long, sustainable practice?
Yes, the science of yoga is now receiving more attention; it is great! More research is being done in the medical community on how yoga can be used for injury prevention and rehabilitation. This information is fantastic! Science is what needs to be made known to the public as if yogis understand the anatomy and biomechanics behind each pose, they will be able to perform them safely and enjoy yoga for their lifetime without experiencing yoga related injuries. Yoga can offer you and your body enormous benefits, but benefits are hard to achieve if you do not recognize how to attain them. If you want to practice for the rest of your life, take the time to learn some general anatomy and biomechanics. If you understand the etiology of injuries, you will better be able to continue safely growing on your mat throughout your existence. Yoga offers a lifetime of learning; enjoy the journey towards wisdom.
For someone just starting Yoga, with average fitness experience, what do you recommend?
Start slowly, find an incredibly knowledgeable teacher, and consider being assessed by a manual medical practitioner or sports physician before beginning your practice. The latter will be able to identify areas which should be monitored in your practice for safety as well as recognize weak or tight muscles which require more attention. Despite the gentle nature of yoga, it is a repetitive and sometimes strenuous activity and can cause numerous injuries if not practiced properly. Listen to your body; if it hurts or doesn’t feel good, do not do it.
In general, the hatha yoga practice should originate from the spine outwards. Often, due to Ego, people practice from the limbs inward, trying to place themselves in contortions without appreciation for the possible contraindications acting on the spine. As a specialist in spinal health, how would you encourage yoga practitioners to practice with their primary focus on the spine?
Ego can cause many injuries. Whether reaching all the way to the floor in a forward bend and allowing the curve in your lower back to be lost, or remaining too long in shoulder stand or headstand, you are placing your spine at risk for the benefit of your Ego. It is absolutely essential to understand which movements are safe for the spine and which are hazardous. Large class sizes make it impossible for teachers to work through risky poses with students, or any pose for that matter. If you do not understand a pose or are nervous about trying it, wait until you can work through it independently with your teacher. Yes, this means you will have to sit the pose out in your class, but is that so bad? If you understand the pose, you will be less likely to compromise your spine for the asana’s believed aesthetics.
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I would like to leave you with an inspiring story. One of my girlfriends is an incredible yogi; she has a background in kinesiology and an amazing amount of strength, stability, and flexibility. She once told me that her most liberating yoga moment was taking child’s pose when she felt her body needed a rest. I will never forget this as it shocked me that such a strong yogi found this to be her most liberating yoga moment! Her knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics kept her safe on her mat and provided her with an experience that was positive instead of negative when she knew her body needed a rest. I hope this impacts you as much as it did me.
Enjoy your practice and have fun asking questions; learning should be an exciting and FUN experience!
Click Here to learn more about Dr. Carla Cupido or visit her website.
Articles by Dr. Carla Cupido:
Addressing Our Scapular Stabilizers
Managing Plantar Fasciitis
Carpal Tunnel and Yoga
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