Comments on: The selling of yoga

By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 21:26:17 +0000

A wise lesson, Kathleen, on paying attention to what your body is telling you (despite well-meaning encouragements from fellow classmates).

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By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 19:29:36 +0000

Yoga is dangerous for anyone with EDS. I have a variant that recently was given another label and moved from the EDS spectrum, but it’s just a matter of degree. We are still easily injured and are vulnerable to arthritis, as my ligaments and joints give no warning whatsoever as they move into danger range and can easily dislocate. I keep telling nieces and nephews who also seem to have the condition that, however fun it might be to show off, Be careful: It’s not a party trick.

While one-on-one work with a particular yoga instructor has been useful from time to time, yoga classes tend toward an aspirational (or competitive) dynamic, and that would be one of the worst things for me to do. But some people with messianic zeal are not easily dissuaded, as they are certain that more and more yoga is the solution for everyone! and for me! if only I would stop being so negative! and give our class a chance!

I politely say that I have found other practices that work for me, but on rare occasions have been goaded into a sharp “I have a joint condition. It’s actually dangerous.” And one of those tireless advocates, actually a doctor, said, “What’s the first rule in any class? Don’t do anything that hurts.”

But for me it never hurts, not until much later, and then it’s excruciating, and for a very long time.

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By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 18:10:34 +0000

Agreed, Lynn, except it may not even feel “easy” at all. One researcher described Bikram yoga as “a fitness regime that should come with a health warning”, and Bikram himself is known to begin each yoga class by saying: “Welcome to Bikram’s torture chamber.”

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By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 18:03:53 +0000

Hmmmm…. EDS could explain a lot of yogic contortionism! 😉 Except it can be a very serious diagnosis that nobody would ever wish on any yoga partners.

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By: Carolyn Thomas

Carolyn Thomas — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 18:02:17 +0000

I love to hear that, Denise.

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By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 15:24:50 +0000

My gentle yoga moves have been part of my life for forty years – nothing extreme, done at home as part of my daily body work, no pushing, just letting my body and spirit connect for this quiet time with my kind of music…. peace.

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By: cave76

cave76 — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 14:24:47 +0000

No need to admire those people who can perform those tricky yoga stances—– they MIGHT have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). (grin)

From (gasp) Wiki:
” EDS is caused by a defect in the synthesis of collagen”
“abnormal collagen renders these structures more elastic”
“Depending on the individual, the severity of the mutation can vary from mild to life-threatening”

From NCBI:
“Excess joint laxity and joint hypermobility”

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By: Lynn Kelly

Lynn Kelly — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 13:35:31 +0000

I think you hit the nail on the head for today’s culture, Carolyn.

Fast, easy, results at any price. And a certain % of people will pay for it. And a smaller percent will actually do it.

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