Yoga (cont.)
Is it safe to do yoga?
You should discuss yoga with your doctor before starting if you have medical
conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetic eye disease
(diabetic retinopathy), orthopedic problems (low back, neck, etc.), or any other
medical condition that you think might be worsened by yoga. Some of the poses
may be unsafe, and your doctor can advise you. For instance, individuals with
diabetic retinopathy should not do exercises where the head is below the heart,
like downward dog (adho mukha svanasana), forward bending (konasana), handstands (adho
mukha vrksasana), and any of the other inversion poses (half
plow [ardha halasana]; plow [halasana]; shoulder stand [sarvangasana]). Some of you
may have back problems, and that should definitely be discussed with your doctor
and the yoga instructor before you start. If necessary, speak with the yoga
instructor or studio manager and find out what poses will be used, and then if
you have doubts, you can run it by your doctor. Although the yoga instructor may
be trained, they are not doctors, and so you should check with your physician
about your medical concerns.
Go for it!
Yoga is a great complement to aerobic and resistance exercise, and I suggest
that you might be completely surprised at the benefits you experience. I don't
see how you have anything to lose, and so I urge you to give it a try! I will
leave you with a yoga chant that is occasionally used to end a yoga session.
Sanskrit
Om Om Om
Asatho Maa Sath Gamaya
Thamaso Maa Jyothir Gamaya
Mruthyor Maa Amrutham Gamaya.
Om Shanthi. Shanthi. Shanthi.
English
Om Om Om
Lead me from unreal to real
Lead me from darkness to light
Lead me from death to immortality.
Om Shanthi. Shanthi. Shanthi. (Peace, peace,
peace be to all.)
May the entire world be happy.
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