Yoga has gotten a lot of bad press lately. Does it really cause hip injuries?
Here are few examples of recent bad press:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/11/15/yoga-injuries_n_4280083.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/sunday-review/womens-flexibility-is-a-…
I know it also does a lot of good for people as well. It seems a shame not to recommend clients to take yoga classes anymore. But I’d hate to be causing injury to anyone.
I’d love to know what other professionals think of this dilemma.
I would add to Karin’s response. In addition to the person who is doing the yoga, and the yoga itself, it’s the person teaching the yoga.
A good instructor will watch each participant and cue the many elements of each pose, offering modifications and progressions as necessary.
The pictures of people in heavily twisted arm balances seen on instagram today look cool. However, most people who come to a yoga class will never reach that level of stability and flexibility. The problem occurs when the ego of the student and/or the instructor exceeds the student’s actual physical capabilities.