How to Protect the Knees in Yoga Classes
There are no knee-opening poses in yoga, so it is important to take a few precautions, which can not only prevent injury but also strengthen your knee-joint.
There are no knee-opening poses in yoga, so it is important to take a few precautions, which can not only prevent injury but also strengthen your knee-joint.
The space exists, at the start of class as you introduce yourself, to ask for students with any injuries to raise their hands and let you know of any injuries or health concerns. Another option for shyer students is to close their eyes and place hands over their hearts for a more anonymous approach. Create your own opportunities to find out more about your students to further establish safety in the studio.
Other tips to avoid back injury are to keep your spine elongated and use your abdominal muscles. It is also wise to wait until you have successfully strengthened your back before attempting more complex asanas such as wheel, plow, and even camel.
Please consult your health professional, physician, or a medical specialist before practicing Yoga. Do your research. Yoga student safety is really important. Please take some private lessons with a competent Yoga teacher to understand the basics before practicing with a DVD.
The therapeutic benefits of Yoga can be magnificent, but over-extension of the muscles can occur if the poses are performed incorrectly or held for a time period longer than a student can handle. Many yoga students are able to recognize easily when they are having a problem, but it is important for yoga teachers to understand the signs that accompany a potential injury, as there are quite a few new students who may not have the ability to recognize a problem or who wish to push themselves as much as possible in order to keep up with the crowd.
Chair Yoga sessions or classes may be advisable in some instances. Yoga postures practiced during chair Yoga classes will not put pressure on the neck. Contrary to popular belief Chair Yoga is not for Seniors only.
Separation of the sacral-iliac ligament joint and lower back ligaments are among the common injuries in yoga. The injury can happen by attempting a forward fold the cause with straight legs and forcing. By merely bending your knees you can decrease the force and the potential for injury. Students with pre-existing medical conditions related to the sacral-iliac ligament joint and lower back ligaments should approach twisting and bending with extreme caution.
When you do challenge a student, check in with him or her to insure they feel comfortable throughout the adjustment or verbal cue. Try and do so somewhat intimately, instead of involving the class for ego. Keep the intentions pure for growth in a specific posture or series, take your time to listen and you and your student’s practice will flourish.
The best place where you can practice yoga is in a clean area where you can indulge in fresh air and silence. This combination will enhance your concentration and make you become more aware of what you are doing. When practicing yoga in an outdoor place, you must ensure that you are free from insects and cold winds. Never practice yoga under direct sunlight or when you have just finished sun bathing.
By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP What should Yoga teachers know about promising cures? To get straight to the point, a Yoga instructor should never promise anything he or she can’t deliver. For most of us, one of the most disappointing experiences in life can happen when we trust a person or a product to …