Is yoga really only good for you? Side effects of the practice

In recent years, yoga has been gaining immense popularity among millions of people around the world. People practice yoga because of its positive impact not only on physical fitness but also on their psychological state. However, this practice can cause irreparable harm to health. Often, in the pursuit of self-improvement and body development, people are subject to misconceptions about the intricacies of this practice.

Benoit Mathews, one of the leading physiotherapists from the UK, said that every month people who practice yoga seek his help. Among them, 4-5 patients are yoga instructors. All of them complain of back and hip problems. The average age of these people is 40-42 years old, and some of them limp or can barely move at all. In a number of cases, conventional physiotherapy no longer helps and surgical intervention is required, up to a complete hip replacement.

Such catastrophic consequences are associated with a constant increase in the load. According to Benoit Mathews, the main problem is forcing the body into a certain position. When the physiological capabilities of the body resist this, people often interpret it as joint stiffness that needs to be overcome. However, the resulting joint pain signals that you need to stop. If you feel pinching and blockage, you should not increase the load. The doctor emphasizes: “It is important to know your limits. You need to be able to listen to your body. After all, everyone has individual abilities to flex their body. Yoga can be combined with other types of physical activity that are more suitable for your body structure.”

Also, in earlier studies, Oxford neurophysiologist Rich Russell came to the conclusion that, although very rare, yoga can cause a stroke at a fairly young age. This can be triggered by rapid neck movements and excessive neck bending during certain yoga poses.

Muscle and ligament injuries, shoulder and knee injuries are also common reasons for going to the hospital after practicing yoga. The potential dangers of yoga are related to the fact that it is practiced by people of almost any age, physical fitness and health condition. However, these workouts, like all types of physical activity, should be conducted with an individualized approach. In addition, injuries can occur due to improper exercise. Therefore, you should practice yoga, especially difficult poses, only under the supervision of an experienced instructor.