sandeyeYoga Opinion: OUCH does not always mean STOP
November 19th 2008 17:14
I recently learned the hard way that a sore and crampy hip is not reason enough to limit the Yoga postures that affect the hip.
I had been spending a lot of time in my typing chair and although I often rose to obtain a drink of water, visit the bathroom, check for mail, feed the pigeons, etc, I figure that I did not get up to stretch quite enough. About two weeks ago, I began to be aware of a stiffness in my right hip. I therefore took a day out from the typing chair last week, hoping that this would alleviate the problem. I had also stopped practice of certain Asana that involved my hip, hoping to rest it.
I now feel that I should have put more emphasis on the activity of the hip, rather than less. The stiff hip developed into a stiff back, further limiting my Yoga practice and bringing concern that my arthritis may return. (I was diagnosed with lumbar arthritis in 2000, and Yoga 'fixed' it by un-fusing the fused vertebrae, which are now getting stuck again.) Whereas this is not yet a 'major' problem, I sincerely hope that the arthritis does not catch hold again!
I managed to take a 2-hour walk during my workday routine last week, and have put a focus on increasing my hip exercises, not exceeding half an hour in my typing chair without standing up and moving about the house a little, and reading whilst lying on my stomach, rather than on my back or butt. I am also considering using three different chairs whilst typing, in order to alter the natural posture for my spine throughout the day, as both my work and social lives are situated at that computer!
Yogawise, I have begun to emphasize the leg raises, wind relief poses and Asana that relate to the lower back - such as Cobra, spinal twist and moves 1-2-3 of the Sun Salutation. I have also temporarily removed the Lion and Locust Asanas from my routine, and perform an assisted entrance and exit to/from the Shoulderstand. Additional changes include staying longer in Savasana and concentrating more on Pranayama practice.
I had been spending a lot of time in my typing chair and although I often rose to obtain a drink of water, visit the bathroom, check for mail, feed the pigeons, etc, I figure that I did not get up to stretch quite enough. About two weeks ago, I began to be aware of a stiffness in my right hip. I therefore took a day out from the typing chair last week, hoping that this would alleviate the problem. I had also stopped practice of certain Asana that involved my hip, hoping to rest it.
I now feel that I should have put more emphasis on the activity of the hip, rather than less. The stiff hip developed into a stiff back, further limiting my Yoga practice and bringing concern that my arthritis may return. (I was diagnosed with lumbar arthritis in 2000, and Yoga 'fixed' it by un-fusing the fused vertebrae, which are now getting stuck again.) Whereas this is not yet a 'major' problem, I sincerely hope that the arthritis does not catch hold again!
I managed to take a 2-hour walk during my workday routine last week, and have put a focus on increasing my hip exercises, not exceeding half an hour in my typing chair without standing up and moving about the house a little, and reading whilst lying on my stomach, rather than on my back or butt. I am also considering using three different chairs whilst typing, in order to alter the natural posture for my spine throughout the day, as both my work and social lives are situated at that computer!
Yogawise, I have begun to emphasize the leg raises, wind relief poses and Asana that relate to the lower back - such as Cobra, spinal twist and moves 1-2-3 of the Sun Salutation. I have also temporarily removed the Lion and Locust Asanas from my routine, and perform an assisted entrance and exit to/from the Shoulderstand. Additional changes include staying longer in Savasana and concentrating more on Pranayama practice.
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