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By Sam Dworkis
Because many of us were brought up believing in the
saying "no pain, no gain," most of us, at some time or another, will
experience a yoga injury. After all, when we were in school, our coaches and
peers encouraged, and often demanded, that we give our athletic pursuits our
very best effort, even when injured.
Many of us have transferred that concept right into our
yoga practice. In addition, there are many approaches to yoga whose teachers
encourage their students to "push their edges."
Yet, even if we practice non aggressive yoga, it is
normal that muscle soreness will follow; for it is simply the natural
breaking down of muscle tissue and its rebuilding that promotes strength and
flexibility, and enhances performance.
Yet, even if we practice non aggressive yoga, it is
normal that muscle soreness will follow; for it is simply the natural
breaking down of muscle tissue and its rebuilding that promotes strength and
flexibility, and enhances performance.
Injuries are supposed to be painful, because pain is the
body's way of telling you there is a problem that needs to be addressed.
Ignoring this message often creates chronic injury, which becomes more
common as we age. Trying to work through pain often exacerbates what might
have been a minor injury and often creates additional unwanted fascia
adhesions (scarring) along with stressed and atrophied soft tissue.
When chronically injured, many structures away from a
primary injury also become affected; including surrounding muscles, tendons,
ligaments, joint capsules, and especially, the fascia, which when
chronically contracted, becomes a primary cause of chronic overall pain,
weakness, and loss of flexibility.
When applied to the healing process, yoga therapy is a
non-painful and an extremely effective rehabilitative tool. When
appropriately practiced, it works on the level of fascia, which serves to
rebuild strength and endurance, and to restore and maintain flexibility;
both during and after the therapeutic process.
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