Is Womens Flexibility a Liability in Yoga Sharis Response to William Broad

by Shari

The latest New York Times article from William Broad Women’s Flexibility is a Liability (in Yoga) sparked a conversation between Nina and me, both whom are long-term yoga practitioners who have grappled with orthopedic injuries. Broad states that he has recently learned that women are at higher risk of hip injuries in a yoga class because of their inherent flexibility compared to men. He quotes a single yoga teacher, Michaelle Edwards, saying that “women’s elasticity became a liability when extreme bends resulted in serious wear and tear on their hips. Over time the chronic stress could develop into agonizing pain and, in some cases, the need for urgent hip repairs.” He also says of arthritis researchers:

The investigators found that extreme leg motions could cause the hip bones to repeatedly strike each other, leading over time to damaged cartilage, inflammation, pain and crippling arthritis. They called it Femoroacetabular Impingement — or F.A.I., in medical shorthand. The name spoke to a recurrence in which the neck of the thigh bone (the femur) swung so close to the hip socket (the acetabulum) that it repeatedly struck the socket’s protruding rim.

I personally can’t stand sensationalism of any type and particularly sensationalism of the fear and scare tactics kind. When I first saw this article, I groaned inwardly. But I then proceeded to read it carefully, including the related links, and then went on to do some additional research of my own. After all that, my response is: maybe.

First of all, I, as a long-term yoga practitioner, am not sure what exactly he means. We all can be overly flexible in some areas of our bodies and conversely overly tight in other areas of our bodies. The biomechanical model of structure and function is a beautiful yin and yang interplay between forces that influence our bodies, and yes, can ultimately change our structure and function. Some changes may not be as beneficial as others so we need to be consciously selective and astute to observe what changes occur with function.

I also think, as in the past, Broad is careless in his citations of his evidence and is vague about these ER records of hip injuries. However, he does cite some orthopedists and one international study that do substantiate his observation that women who put their hips into extreme ranges of motion can injure their hips. Well, this is blatantly obvious to anyone who may be neurologically intact. When a joint is taken into an extreme position there is a pain response recognized by the central nervous system that warns the person to back off. Of course, if we choose to ignore the pain response, then is it the yoga that is causing the injury or is it the person who is foolishly not listening to the feedback their body is providing?

I also think that to address William Broad’s assertion that women are more flexible than men, we need a better working definition of (biomechanical) flexibility:

Flexibility is the range of motion in a joint or group of joints, or, the ability to move joints effectively. Flexibility is related to muscle strength. Flexibility is also the ability to move through a full range of motion.

Flexibility is a conscious movement that has an intricate feedback mechanism between the muscles and the nerves innervating the muscles and the joints and the central nervous system. There are significant protective mechanisms that prevent the individual from overstretching if they PAY ATTENTION to the sensation of pain rather than ignoring it.

So are women “inherently” more flexible than men? Well, it depends who you ask. But all sports attract a body type, and if yoga is considered a “sport” then there is a body type that is drawn to yoga. We all like to do things that are “easy” and for some flexible bodies yoga is “easy.” The rub here is that this isn’t “yoga” but athleticism masquerading as yoga!

So now let us look at his assertion that yoga is the root cause of “femoracetabular impingement”. The literature that I read, including one of his references, states that the subjective symptoms are deep anterior groin pain with associated intermittent catching and locking of the hip joint. In addition, there is a significant decrease in hip internal rotation. The morphology is that there is a breakdown of the hip labrum (how the head of the femur is connected into the cup of the pelvic acetabulum) and the articular surfaces of the femur and acetabulum. There is a structural change in how the head of the femur is sitting and facing, and movement of the hip will continue to tear the tissue structures with a loosening of the integrity of the hip joint. The problem is that a lot of individuals who have this condition are pain free, asymptomatic and don’t know they have it. The concern is that this condition may be a precursor to developing hip arthritis down the road. There are four types of femoracetabular impingement and one type is more common in women and one type more common in men!

Another article that I read stated that the condition is caused by internal rotation of the hip while in 90 degrees of hip flexion. Yes, this can be Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)! So is the problem the combination of these two movements? I don’t know, but does that mean you need to stop doing Uttanasana? I don’t think so unless it is causing pain. And, yes, there are some pretty extreme hip positions in yoga which only some of could do when we were younger (maybe can still do them now) but the bottom line is that we need to practice with intention and attention to form, function and our own bodies' abilities and not soldier on through the pain. Yoga, as we have mentioned time and time again, can be physically and mentally challenging, but is not supposed to hurt. So don’t be scared off again by a sensational journalist who claims he is a yogi.

In a future post I would like to present some of the inherent differences between male and female pelvis and hips that might also help to put into perspective the allegation of the differences between men and women.

Subscribe to Yoga for Healthy Aging by Email ° Follow Yoga for Healthy Aging on Facebook ° Join this site with Google Friend Connect

Why Handmade Soap And Lotion Is Highly Recommended

By Robert Kennedy

Skin care is something that most women and people should pay attention to. Out of all the organs present, this can be considered as something that is highly exposed to a lot of elements that might be very damaging. You need to consider the various ways on how to be sure it is protected and to properly achieve the health for it. For it to properly function, you have to take good care of it. Remember that this is what holds the outer layers together and protects the more delicate of organs.

You would be able to see that there are various choices for the products that can be used on the market. It is even more confusing because of that. So you should try to take note of your needs and try to consider the type of skin that you have. Others needed to go through various brands before they can land at something they want to. But for some, instead of choosing, they have decided to create their own through handmade soap and lotion.

Commercial cosmetics and products are available. But each are chemically processed and have various types of substances that can make it even more difficult for you to achieve the results you want. It might not work for certain skin types. Because of that, it has become necessary and important for people to take note of the different options including the various ingredients you want to include.

But there are several individuals who feel that it might be best to go for homemade products. It is easier for them and they feel that it might be better to make use of these things because it would be beneficial. Others have decided to make use of these things and create their own from scratch and from the materials that could be found in the kitchen.

The ingredients that you would include can determine the possible effects that it has for your current mix. Each organic material have a certain effect for your skin and for the other parts of your body. If you have a certain type of stuff that you want to achieve, it might be best to make use of the right ingredients to make it work better.

Processes are already available in the internet. There are also videos that can be used for your current needs. With these things, you could easily create your own and you can make the entire process as your own guide or you could choose to follow these things. But since these things are highly available in the internet, you would have the convenience of following it.

You have the option of creating the substance that is not really sticky and not difficult to the skin. Grease is often the misconception of many individuals particularly for homemade types. With the proper ingredients and the right mix, it is not impossible to create something that is not greasy and light to the touch.

Some people have decided that they are going to make use of this because there are no chemicals involved. Everything is natural and everything is homemade or organic. And because of that, there is no risks for danger towards your skin. You just have to guarantee that you are not allergic to it.

You would only have to make this and have it stocked. The item is readily available, from the ingredients to the actual finished product. And it is catered to the type of issues and the problems or whatever needs that you have.

About the Author:

If you are looking for the facts about handmade soap and lotion, come to our web pages today. More details are available at http://grayravenfarm.net now.

Reasons Why Acupuncture Columbus Is Good For Your Health

By Eric McDonald

This traditional 3,000 year technique that came from China is a widely popular and accepted form of alternative therapy. Many people from Columbus, OH go for this therapy whenever they can. Because it helps them find the balance between their yin and yang energies.

It never sleeps until it catches your attention and before you know it you are so stressed out that all you want to do is lie down and never move. That is why this ancient Chinese medicine called the acupuncture Columbus is mostly recommended by many health care experts. Because of its therapeutic way of using needles to restore balance and order within our system.

So you are interested about going under the needle, but you feel uncertain about it because you do not have enough knowledge. And what to expect from one session, but do not worry because this short guide will be able to give you a rough idea about what this is. By definition acupuncture is the pricking of the tissue or skin using needles, the purpose of is to treat various ailments and alleviate pain.

Once you gain the approval of your GP visiting the acupuncturist on your next appointment should not scare you. There are many things you can expect from the treatment aside from being poked with sterile needles. Before this step happens the acupuncturist will use their tool kit to assess the current state of your health, and like all medical practitioner they will often ask about your wellness and check areas around the body thoroughly.

During an acupuncture the practitioner will review your health history by asking several questions. At that point they will survey the shape and color of your tongue and the coating around it. Then they will check your pulse and extra examinations if required. Most acupuncturist carry a special kit that helps them assess your body, so they can administer the treatment properly and accurately.

Remember that each individuals have different needs and wants, so your treatment could be extensive or shorter than others. However an acupuncture procedure usually cost around a hundred dollars, and depending on how many treatments you need in a week per month totals how much you will pay. Be aware of this aspect and include it in your conversation with your general practitioner and acupuncturist first.

There are many kinds of health conditions that have been improved through the implementation of acupuncture. But most common conditions reported are problems with the pain around the neck and back, nausea, anxiety, headache, depression, infertility, and insomnia. Once you have your appointment set you should know what to expect in each session.

Mental stress often happens when there are aspects in our lives that are is not going very great, and we are very affected by these. Which is why people who undergo stress often show signs and symptoms of depression. Depression is a condition among sufferers of dejection and despondency which results in lack of sleep and appetite.

The pressure points are where your Qi flows. This is pronounced as chee, and energy flows through this channel. When you are beyond stress the warm thin needle helps release the pressure from these areas. Which allows you to feel slowly the release and relaxation.

About the Author:

If you are interested in acupuncture Columbus healer is the best person to use. Make an appointment online through this site http://ohiowholisticacupuncture.com.

Why The Miracle Berry Is Needed For Sugar Discussion

By Rebecca Mills

It's easy to see that some foods are healthier than others. Moderation will be required, in certain cases, and the intake of sugar is just one of the cases in question. If you speak to those who understand nutrition, you may start to pick up on the ways in which sugar be maintained, or even lowered if it has to be done. I believe that this is one of the reasons as to why the miracle berry should have more attention drawn to it.

Of course, one can make the argument that simply avoiding food with high levels of sugar can alleviate problems. This isn't always easy, though, especially when you consider that many products contain sugar to some degree or another. Research some of your favorite ingredients and foods; you'll start to see just how hidden sugar can be. Sometimes you cannot always trust what labels state; instead, you'll have to focus on looking deeper into food-related matters.

It's easy to see that sugar can create cavities, without care, which is undoubtedly true. However, I would be remiss if I said that this would be the only issue. Keep in mind that those who consume sugar, without any kind of regulation set in place, are those who are at risk of developing conditions along the lines of diabetes. What this means is that even though you feel like your body can take on more of this product, it doesn't mean that you should take the chance.

If you want to talk about the best sweetening alternatives, the miracle berry more than deserves to be discussed. In fact, you may be able to learn as much about this product as possible by looking into authorities along the lines of MiraBurst. Keep in mind that this type of berry can directly influence one's taste buds, specifically the ways in which acidic foods are responded to. What this means is that lemons, limes, and the like can be made sweeter as a result.

No one can argue with the fact that living a healthy life is crucial. In fact, it's important to understand the ways in which sugar can be lowered, miracle berry knowledge being just one of the many vital points to pick up on. As you can see, there are many different ways in which flavor can be added, some of them better known than others. Focus on the best solutions and you'll start to see the quality of your life grow as a result.

About the Author:

If you'd care to know more about the miracle berry, visit MiraBurst today.

Here Is The List Of Effective Alternative Healer

By Mattie Knight

There are certain things in Earth that cannot be solely explained by science. Some these things remains a mystery while others are just being accepted in the society. A good example for this are the medicines. Some are proven effective while others remain a question on how it can really heal a disease. Although few are really effective, it still cant be explained through scientific processes.

Medical field is not exemption to it. There are specific things which can cure a disease but the reason why it can heal is still a mystery. In Portland, citizens get used to alternative healer Portland that it becomes part of their life. Some even prefer these alternatives over the medical processes or procedures.

Being the largest city in Oregon, Portland has a lot of things to say about alternative healing. This has started hundreds of years ago when people got curious on its amazing results. As a matter of fact, three universities are located in the state which brings students in exploring other means of healing. Due to these facts, the place has been an inspiration for other cities or states to follow.

To know more about these alternatives, here are some examples and their definitions. Some of them started thousands of years ago while others were just discovered few years ago. Ancient alternatives includes some Chinese methods as well as touch therapy. Newly unveiled alternative includes chiropractors and even naturopathy.

Way back the old times, Chinese people had already been exploring in the medicinal field. As a proof, they have discovered a lot of herbal plants which has been proven to be very effective. The most common practice that they do and is still present in modern times is acupuncture. This is done using a sterilized needles. Practitioners identify the perfect spot that needs to be pin.

Next is naturopathy or commonly understood as the natural way of body to be healed by itself. This method looks very simple but you have to a lot of things to make it work out. Drinking water is good way to show the bodys natural sense of recovering itself. This is very tricky since many aspects needs to be check and maintained.

Touch therapy is very famous in all parts of the world. This is also known as massage. In this modern times, massage has been a great way to relax the body from stress in work. Aside from taking out the stress, it can also help the people to have a healthier body. With the power of rubbing and humans palm, it can change how your self function.

Science thought the people that all body parts are connected to a certain terminal which is the spinal. In chiropractors, once you aligned it well, there are higher chances that your sickness or disease will be cured. All you have to do is some reformation, twisting, stretching and slowly you will be fine.

Some patients might not believe these kinds of things but there is nothing harm is your too curious to try it. Knowing that other patients have already been healed with it makes it more interesting. Dont close your doors for some better opportunities.

About the Author:

If you are searching for information about an alternative healer Portland natives can pay a visit to our web pages online here today. Additional details are available at http://www.portlandmindbodysoul.com now.