Yoga can be a fun and fulfilling part of an overall weight management
strategy with the added benefits of stress reduction, control over
cravings and impulses, even spiritual growth.
Or, as is too often the case, yoga can lead to pain and joint injury.
Yoga-related injuries have grown exponentially over the last few
years. This is due in part to the rapid spread and "Americanization"
of yoga -- it is now socially acceptable, even en vogue in many parts
of the country to practice yoga, whereas just two decades ago yoga was
seen as suspect, even cultish.
It could be argued, however, that yoga, intended to be a spiritual
practice, should have no injuries whatsoever.
Two factors are to blame in the rise of yoga-related injuries:
Yoga instructors with inadequate training. Many gyms employ yoga
teachers with no more than a long weekend of formal education in the
instruction of yoga.
Students overeager to "achieve" poses their bodies aren't ready for.
As a culture we are obsessed by being more successful, rich, and
beautiful. Unfortunately this spills over into yoga when students try
to force their bodies into the poses they see models "performing" on
magazine covers....
http://groups.google.com/group/weightlosslnfs
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