Is Yoga Safe For Osteoporosis
It is scary and confusing to get a diagnosis of osteoporosis, especially if you are active and love practicing yoga.
And this can lead to a heckuva lot of fear, cause all of a sudden you are not sure what poses are safe and what poses are risky.
The advice “be careful” is vague and unhelpful, but is the usual advice given to women who want to build strength and stay active.
I highly recommend you educate yourself on what exercises to avoid and what to focus on and work with instructors and program that are familiar with what yoga poses to avoid when you have osteoporosis.
And although this article is how to keep doing your yoga practice after a diagnosis of osteoporosis, please remember is that your bones are living tissue and get stronger when you USE them. Just as muscles grow when you lift weights, bones adapt to the stress placed upon them by becoming denser and more resilient. In simpler terms, we need to challenge ourselves- safely and effectively to strengthen our bones and our muscles.
So I recommend adding strength training that is safe for osteoporosis in addition to your yoga practice. You can find out more about that throughout this website!
What To Exercises and Yoga Poses To Avoid If You Have Osteoporosis
If you have osteoporosis, please must avoid exercises that involve loaded spinal flexion (rounding the spine forward) or deep twisting. These movements put excessive pressure on the front of the vertebrae.
There are so many different ways to exercise and build strength. Please avoid these poses and exercises.
• Traditional crunches and sit-ups.
• Toe touches or forward bends.
• Deep spinal twists (like certain yoga poses).
Here is a guided yoga class that is considered beginner friendly AND safe for those with osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis safe yoga- can be safe when done correctly.
This follow-along routine is designed specifically for women over 50 with osteoporosis, osteopenia, or low bone density.
Give this gentle practice a try and know that you CAN keep practicing yoga with a diagnosis of osteoporosis when you know what poses to avoid and what poses are good for your body.
FURTHER READING
