editor's blog

A few days ago, the New York Times ran a very long piece (online, it has formatted as 12 web pages) entitled How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body. 

Immediately, I felt my pro-yoga hackles rise and prickle defensively. Yet despite the sensansionalism of the headlines, and the lack of meaty back-up statistics, I find myself agreeing with much of the article.

Author William Broad's main point is that, despite yoga being widely - and almost universally - perceived as a physically healing practice, there is increasing concern that many yoga poses are unsuitable for most people. 

This argument sounds radical at first, perhaps, and the piece is admittedly slanted, based as it is on an interview with Glenn Black, experienced US Iyengar yoga teacher who works a lot with clients recovering from yoga injuries..

Yet in my 15 years' experience as a yoga practitioner (and 4 as a yoga teacher), I have come to similar conclusions.

I am unusual in not teaching certain poses in a class setting that I consider too risky for many Western bodies: unmodified shoulderstand, headstand, Upward Bow, unmodified Vijrasana, Camel Pose (pictured).

On a personal level, I sustained a shoulder injury around 15 months ago that I suspect has been partly caused by yoga-related repetitive strain.

I have since spoken with a well-known US teacher, who says she now does not teach full Chaturanga in class, due to the inherent risk of injury (especially amongst women, whose upper body strength is often poor, and ill-equipped to cope with the relentless demands of a strong vinyasa flow or ashtanga practice).

Shoulderstand is one of the most widely taught asana - yet over years of repeated practice without modification (I always teach it the iyengar way, with a folded blanked under the shoulders to reduce strain), the dangers include cervical-disk injuries, muscle strain and overstretched ligaments.

A pose such as Vijrasana is also inherently risky if performed without suitable modification (ie students sitting on blocks to minimise risk to vulnerable knee joints), and I have heard several stories of students sustaining knee injuries when practising it.

Like anything, of course, yoga must be practised mindfully, with care, and always with an honest appreciation of the limitations of individuals' bodies.

This is very difficult (no, impossible) to put in place in a large-class setting, when one teacher is responsible for up to 40 students.

Over and above unsustainably large classes sizes, however, is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure students move through a safe, intelligently structured practice that is unlikely to cause injury or strain.

'Extreme' asana...

In my opinion, this means modifying (or leaving out entirely) 'extreme' asana such as headstand, shoulderstand, vijrasana, and Bow pose.

It also means teaching from a place that is NOT driven by ego; but instead is informed by realism and respect for tight, inflexible Western bodies that may spend 40-hours a week or more sitting in chairs.

In my experience of yoga as it is mostly taught, this is sorely lacking, and needs to be addressed by the yoga community at large.

As Black is quoted as saying in the NYT article: 'Asana is not a panacea or a cure-all. In fact, if you do it with ego or obsession, you'll end up causing problems.'

What do you think? The full article is here - please leave your comments on Yoga Abode's facebook page.

Lucia Cockcroft, editor

On the eve of a bright, shiny New Year, most of us will look ahead to 2012 with eyes coloured by our own individual mix of hopes, and fears.

In the language of yoga, we may well set an intention, or series of intentions, translated from Sanskrit as 'will, purpose, or determination.' A sankalpa is a New Year's resolution with a yogic slant.

Yet experience tells us that most traditional New Year's resolutions will be forgotten before February - somehow vanished in the routine and whirl of every day life.

For bringing about real change in one's life - and that is what New Year's resolutions are all about - takes an phenomenal amount of will and determination. We are, to the core, creatures of habit.

Be realistic
So why not shed any unrealistic, high-minded goals straight away. Instead, bring to mind a sankalpa, an intention, to change just one thing - something that's both attainable and important to you on a personal or professional level.

Often, bringing your awareness to this one thing can lead to a chain reaction of change in other areas of your life.

Committing to practising yoga for just 20 or 30 minutes a day, for example, is one of the most powerful resolutions of all, leading to a far greater understanding of where you are - physically, emotionally, energetically - at any one time.

It's all to easy to announce a new routine of an hour's yoga a day; yet the key to following through with new intentions is to ensure they are manageable.

Any yoga teacher will tell you that 15 minutes of daily practice is far more valuable than an hour's weekly class.

Wider intention
But making a sankalpa doesn't need to be about a new routine, or thing. On a deeper level, it is more about the intention and feeling behind instigating change, than the thing itself.

So try writing a small list of any aspects of your life (however small) you would like to see change. Mull over this list for a little while, and then come back to it, noting any commonality between the different points you make.

From this, decide which area, or thing, you would most like to change, and make a pledge to make it happen. It doesn't need to be huge - baby steps of intention are most likely to evolve eventually into wide, confident strides.

Each time you practice yoga, bring to mind your sankalpa during a few moments of meditation before or after your practice. Do your best to maintain your intention, but continue to think realistically.

Chances are, if you are still sticking to your new habit in March, the hard work is done, and you will have succeeded in introducing change.

Happy New Year, and many good wishes for a healthy, fulfilling 2012.

Lucia Cockcroft, editor

This time of year inevitably arises with a flood of articles predicting trends for the forthcoming year.

One of The London Evening Standard's predictions is the rise of corporate yoga; services such as YogaAt which provide instruction to big companies across The Capital (as well as to hotels and schools), and which boasts HSBC and Citibank as its clients.

One of yoga's enduring strengths is its ability to re-package itself for the contemporary world.

Although traditionalists may well disagree, I think this is admirable - and also essential for its survival in an increasingly (like it or not) commercial world.

Yoga's stress-busting, back-strengthening, anxiety-relieving properties have never been more needed across the board.

The brand new Yotopia in Central London - aiming to take a 'scientific and neutral' approach - is one of the new yoga Kids on the Block offering a fresh twist on an ancient practice. 

Also look out for Jane Kersell's soon-to-be-launched Shed, offering a 'naturopathic philosophy: to lighten a body’s internal stress from 21st century external stressors and toxins'.

Despite the relentless doom and gloom surrounding the economy, the retreats industry also appears to be alive and kickin'; you can now take a yoga break that combines walking, painting, cookery (take a look at Sally Parkes yoga) or surfing (check AdventureYogi and Surf Maroc).

Our own sister company, YA Retreats, has an exciting schedule of yoga escapes for 2012, including a a 5-day yoga & spa retreat to the wonderful Hotel Tigmi near Marrakesh in late February, and a Suffolk mindfulness & yoga weekend in March. You can search for retreats via our directory, here.

Meanwhile, the Yoga Abode team would like to wish all our readers a fantastic Christmas break, and a happy, healthy and successful 2012.

Lucia Cockcroft, editor

One of yoga's last living legends, BKS Iyengar, has celebrated his 93rd birthday.

Founder of the alignment-focused school of Iyengar yoga, the man himself still teaches twice a week, at his Pune centre in India.

Born on December 14, 1918, Iyengar - whose main teacher was TKV Desikachar - is the author of the seminal Light on Yoga, and is famed for his precise, prop-heavy style of teaching.

Iyengar yoga is widely taught in the West, and is often recommended to beginners as a sound, safe introduction to yoga in general.

We wish Mr Iyengar many more years of good health and yoga practice!

A new study has found that yoga may bring relief to postmenopausal women suffering from insomnia. 

The small study, reported in the journal Menopause, randomly assigned 44 women to one of three groups. While fifteen of the ladies did not receive treatment, 15 practised stretches with a physical therapist twice a week, while 15 practiced yoga twice a week.

After a period of four months, women in the yoga group reported fewer menoopause problems - in particular, relief  from insomnia.

The report, though small, adds weight to a growing body of evidence showing yoga reduces stress levels and activates the parasympathetic nervous system - ie the 'relaxation response'.

Study author Helena Hachul says: 'We are not saying that yoga can cure postmenopausal symptoms. But it can improve and relieve them.'

A 15-minute home pratice, combined with a regular once-a-week class, is enough to reap the benefits, another spokesperson says.

Anyone keen to know more could invest in Suza Francina's well-reviewed book, Yoga and the Wisdom of Menopause: A Guide to Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Health at Midlife and Beyond.

Lucia Cockcroft, editor