Common conditions and their implicationsCommon conditions and their implications

Common conditions and their implications

There are many conditions that a yoga teacher may encounter; the ones that will be addressed in this There are many conditions that a yoga teacher may encounter; the ones that will be addressed in this section include stress, high/low blood

section include stress, high/low blood pressure, musculoskeletal problems (such as back, shoulder, kneepressure, musculoskeletal problems (such as back, shoulder, knee and wrist problems), and pregnancy.

and wrist problems), and pregnancy.

Stress Stress

Stress is a common condition that manifests as a

Stress is a common condition that manifests as a response to a physical threat or psychological distress thatresponse to a physical threat or psychological distress that generates a host of chemical and hormonal reactions in

generates a host of chemical and hormonal reactions in the bodythe body. The body prepares to . The body prepares to fight or flee, pumpingfight or flee, pumping more blood to the heart and muscles and shutting down all non-essential functions. As a temporary state, more blood to the heart and muscles and shutting down all non-essential functions. As a temporary state, this reaction serves the body well to defend itself; however, when the stress reaction is heightened, the this reaction serves the body well to defend itself; however, when the stress reaction is heightened, the normal physical functions that have been either exaggerated or shut down can become dysfunctional. Many normal physical functions that have been either exaggerated or shut down can become dysfunctional. Many people have noted the benefits of exercise in diminishing the stress response. Yoga has been recommended people have noted the benefits of exercise in diminishing the stress response. Yoga has been recommended and studied in its relationship to stress and several researchers claim highly beneficial results from yoga and studied in its relationship to stress and several researchers claim highly beneficial results from yoga practice in alleviating stress and its effects. The practices recommended range from intense to moderate to practice in alleviating stress and its effects. The practices recommended range from intense to moderate to relaxed asana sequences, in addition to pranayama and meditation. In all these approaches to dealing with relaxed asana sequences, in addition to pranayama and meditation. In all these approaches to dealing with stress, one common element stands out: the process is as important as the activity undertaken. Yoga can stress, one common element stands out: the process is as important as the activity undertaken. Yoga can help to foster self-awareness, making it a promising approach for dealing with stress.

help to foster self-awareness, making it a promising approach for dealing with stress.

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A review of the current thinking on stress reveals that the process is both

A review of the current thinking on stress reveals that the process is both biochemical and psychologicabiochemical and psychological.l.

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for reacting to emergencies, employing the fight and The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for reacting to emergencies, employing the fight and flight reflexes. Originating in the brain, sympathetic projections exit the spine and branch out to almost flight reflexes. Originating in the brain, sympathetic projections exit the spine and branch out to almost every organ, every blood vessel, and every sweat gland in the body. The sympathetic nervous system every organ, every blood vessel, and every sweat gland in the body. The sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant during an emergency, as well as the perception of an emergency. The nerve endings becomes dominant during an emergency, as well as the perception of an emergency. The nerve endings release adrenaline and noradrenaline - chemicals which signal organs into action within seconds. The release adrenaline and noradrenaline - chemicals which signal organs into action within seconds. The parasympathetic nervous system, which has

parasympathetic nervous system, which has a calming and restorative effect a calming and restorative effect on the body, is inhibited byon the body, is inhibited by the sympathetic nervous

the sympathetic nervous system during a system during a stressful emergencystressful emergency..

There are other chemical changes in

There are other chemical changes in the body that facilitate the the body that facilitate the stress response and are crucial in stress response and are crucial in an emergencyan emergency..

The pituitary gland and brain secrete substances that dampen pain; these are known as endorphins and The pituitary gland and brain secrete substances that dampen pain; these are known as endorphins and encephalins. The pancreas is stimulated to produce glucagon which helps to raise levels of blood glucose.

encephalins. The pancreas is stimulated to produce glucagon which helps to raise levels of blood glucose.

The pituitary gland also secretes prolactin, which suppresses reproduction; other reproductive hormones The pituitary gland also secretes prolactin, which suppresses reproduction; other reproductive hormones -oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are inhibited during times of stress. Growth-related hormones and oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are inhibited during times of stress. Growth-related hormones and insulin are both inhibited as the body mobilises its resources for immediate survival.

insulin are both inhibited as the body mobilises its resources for immediate survival.

When an emergency is over, continued arousal may become pathological; it is not just the threat of When an emergency is over, continued arousal may become pathological; it is not just the threat of physical danger that must recede for the response to end. The

physical danger that must recede for the response to end. The brain must think and understand that it isbrain must think and understand that it is over

over, or the cycle can continue, becoming a hindrance to health. It , or the cycle can continue, becoming a hindrance to health. It is not that stress itself makes us is not that stress itself makes us sick;sick;

however

however, its continuation can create , its continuation can create a basis for a basis for a number of a number of related conditions.related conditions.

Stress also causes an increase in cardiovascular output in order to

Stress also causes an increase in cardiovascular output in order to deliver oxygen and energy to exercisingdeliver oxygen and energy to exercising muscles: blood moves faster and with more force. A vascular response of constriction of the major ar muscles: blood moves faster and with more force. A vascular response of constriction of the major ar teriesteries can cause a rise in blood pressure, and

can cause a rise in blood pressure, and consequentlyconsequently, blood is delivered with , blood is delivered with greater speed to the muscles,greater speed to the muscles, decreasing blood ﬂow to unessential parts of the body (digestive tract, kidneys and skin). Vasopressin decreasing blood ﬂow to unessential parts of the body (digestive tract, kidneys and skin). Vasopressin reabsorbs water into the circulatory system to keep the blood volume up, so that it can deliver glucose reabsorbs water into the circulatory system to keep the blood volume up, so that it can deliver glucose and oxygen to muscles. However, a continued stress response keeps the cardiovascular system in this and oxygen to muscles. However, a continued stress response keeps the cardiovascular system in this heightened state. It is interesting to note that because the stress response is a condition of the body and heightened state. It is interesting to note that because the stress response is a condition of the body and the mind, its effects are both

the mind, its effects are both physical and psychological.physical and psychological.

It is possible that some of the most beneﬁcial aspects of yoga practice are the sense that things are It is possible that some of the most beneﬁcial aspects of yoga practice are the sense that things are improving, that one has some control over what is happening - two factors that help mediate stress. There improving, that one has some control over what is happening - two factors that help mediate stress. There is the support and encouragement of the teacher and the social interaction of the class, both of which is the support and encouragement of the teacher and the social interaction of the class, both of which provide a buffer

provide a buffer from isolation, another well-known side effect of stress-related conditions.from isolation, another well-known side effect of stress-related conditions.

Stress and yoga practice Stress and yoga practice

Many studies have demonstrated the stress-reducing effects of exercise, but the self-obser

Many studies have demonstrated the stress-reducing effects of exercise, but the self-obser vation necessaryvation necessary to recognise and stop the deleterious effects of the stress response before it

to recognise and stop the deleterious effects of the stress response before it spirals out of control, is the keyspirals out of control, is the key..

Physical symptoms of the stress response include: rapid

Physical symptoms of the stress response include: rapid heartbeat, fast shallow breathing, gastrointestinalheartbeat, fast shallow breathing, gastrointestinal discomfort, and sleep disturbances. The decision to stop and address the problem, as well as to admit discomfort, and sleep disturbances. The decision to stop and address the problem, as well as to admit that stress is an issue and is

that stress is an issue and is no longer acceptable or productive can be challenging. A daily yoga practiceno longer acceptable or productive can be challenging. A daily yoga practice provides the time and space to experience the sensations of the body, and to interpret them mindfully provides the time and space to experience the sensations of the body, and to interpret them mindfully (Serber, 2011).

(Serber, 2011).

Anxiety Anxiety

Anxiety is a common condition associated with stress. Awareness should be given

Anxiety is a common condition associated with stress. Awareness should be given to ensure the participantto ensure the participant does not participate in

does not participate in deep breathing or retention work, especially if deep breathing or retention work, especially if their anxiety is linked to their anxiety is linked to panic attacks.panic attacks.

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Stress: modiﬁcations to yoga practice Stress: modiﬁcations to yoga practice

For stress-related issues, the following modiﬁcations should be

For stress-related issues, the following modiﬁcations should be carried out:carried out:

•

• Shorten relaxation sessions and avoid imagery Shorten relaxation sessions and avoid imagery and afﬁrmations.and afﬁrmations.

•

• The participant can keep eyes open if The participant can keep eyes open if needed, as closing the eyes may be needed, as closing the eyes may be stressfulstressful

•

• Participants may beneﬁt from quietening postures such as forward bending postures and avoidingParticipants may beneﬁt from quietening postures such as forward bending postures and avoiding too many back bends

too many back bends

High blood pressure (Hypertension) High blood pressure (Hypertension)

Blood pressure represents the force (pressure) exerted by blood against the

Blood pressure represents the force (pressure) exerted by blood against the arterial walls during a cardiacarterial walls during a cardiac cycle (heart beat). During the cycle, heart muscle contraction is known as systole, and heart muscle cycle (heart beat). During the cycle, heart muscle contraction is known as systole, and heart muscle relaxation is known as diastole.

relaxation is known as diastole.

Systolic blood pressure, the higher of the two pressure measurements, occurs as the heart muscles Systolic blood pressure, the higher of the two pressure measurements, occurs as the heart muscles contract, pumping blood into the aorta. Heart muscles then relax allowing the heart to reﬁll with blood and contract, pumping blood into the aorta. Heart muscles then relax allowing the heart to reﬁll with blood and the lowest pressure reached represents the

the lowest pressure reached represents the diastolic blood pressure.diastolic blood pressure.

Normal systolic blood pressure in adults varies between 110 and 140 mmHg in generally healthy Normal systolic blood pressure in adults varies between 110 and 140 mmHg in generally healthy individuals, and diastolic pressure varies between 60 and 90 mmHg.

individuals, and diastolic pressure varies between 60 and 90 mmHg.

When blood pressure rises to 140/90 or above, this is

When blood pressure rises to 140/90 or above, this is classiﬁed as hypertension – see Tablclassiﬁed as hypertension – see Table 1.e 1.

Syyssttoolliic c ((mmm m HHgg)) DDiiaassttoolliic c ((mmm m HHgg)) CCllaassssiiﬁﬁccaattiioonn

<113300 <<8855 NNoorrmmaall

13300--113399 8855--8899 HHiigghh NoorrmN maall 1

14400--115599 9900--9999 HHyyppeerrtteennssiioon n ((ssttaagge e 11)) 1

16600--117799 110000--110099 MMooddeerraatte e hhyyppeerrtteennssiioon n ((ssttaagge e 22))

>118800 >>111100 SSeevveerre e hhyyppeerrtteennssiioon n ((ssttaagge e 33)) Table 1 Classiﬁcation of blood pressure Table 1 Classiﬁcation of blood pressure Hypertension is also related to other diseases including stroke, heart attack, and coronary artery disease.

Hypertension is also related to other diseases including stroke, heart attack, and coronary artery disease.

The two types of high blood pressure are:

•

• Primary hypertension – also known as essential hyperPrimary hypertension – also known as essential hyper tension, and commonly caused by stress andtension, and commonly caused by stress and injury. It has

injury. It has no speciﬁc symptomologyno speciﬁc symptomology. Other . Other causes include emotional disturbances, causes include emotional disturbances, heredityheredity, race,, race, climatic condition, obesity

climatic condition, obesity, smoking and , smoking and alcohol intake.alcohol intake.

•

• Secondary hypertension – this condition may lead to kidney infection, malfunctioning of theSecondary hypertension – this condition may lead to kidney infection, malfunctioning of the endocrine glands and arterial problems, such as ar

endocrine glands and arterial problems, such as ar teriosclerosis.teriosclerosis.

If not detected at an early stage, high blood pressure may lead to arterial cardiac and renal damage.

Nevertheless, hypertension can be suspected if people experience headaches, giddiness, hazy vision, Nevertheless, hypertension can be suspected if people experience headaches, giddiness, hazy vision, ringing in the ears, and disturbed kidney

ringing in the ears, and disturbed kidney functioning.functioning.

Participants should check with their doctor to ensure it is safe to practice yoga with their speciﬁc blood Participants should check with their doctor to ensure it is safe to practice yoga with their speciﬁc blood pressure problems. Standard medical advice for people whose blood

pressure problems. Standard medical advice for people whose blood pressure is controlled on medicationpressure is controlled on medication is to engage in exercise and other healthy activities that a

is to engage in exercise and other healthy activities that a person with normal blood pressure would do. Forperson with normal blood pressure would do. For participants with high blood pressure the main area that a yoga teacher needs to consider is the avoidance participants with high blood pressure the main area that a yoga teacher needs to consider is the avoidance of postures that will

of postures that will increase blood pressure further.increase blood pressure further.

Inverted postures Inverted postures

In an inverted posture, gravity causes pressure to increase inside the

In an inverted posture, gravity causes pressure to increase inside the blood vessels of the head and neck.blood vessels of the head and neck.

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The extent of the increase will depend on two factors: how far above the head the heart is, and how far The extent of the increase will depend on two factors: how far above the head the heart is, and how far above the heart the legs and trunk are. Therefore, a mildly inverted posture such as Downward Facing above the heart the legs and trunk are. Therefore, a mildly inverted posture such as Downward Facing Dog, which lifts the hear

Dog, which lifts the heart only a little above the head and does not elevate the legs, only increases pressuret only a little above the head and does not elevate the legs, only increases pressure in the head a little. Supported Bridge Pose, which involves lying on bolsters, legs horizontal, and feet at in the head a little. Supported Bridge Pose, which involves lying on bolsters, legs horizontal, and feet at hip level, increases pressure in the head to a greater extent because the legs and trunk are slightly above hip level, increases pressure in the head to a greater extent because the legs and trunk are slightly above the heart, and the heart is slightly above the head. Shoulder Stand increases pressure in the head to yet the heart, and the heart is slightly above the head. Shoulder Stand increases pressure in the head to yet a greater level, because the legs and trunk are raised to their maximum ver

a greater level, because the legs and trunk are raised to their maximum ver tical position above the heart,tical position above the heart, and the heart is raised somewhat higher above the head

and the heart is raised somewhat higher above the head than in the bridge position. Headstands increasesthan in the bridge position. Headstands increases blood pressure in the head the

blood pressure in the head the most, because the legs and trunk are most, because the legs and trunk are maximally elevated and the head ismaximally elevated and the head is as far below the heart as it can get.

as far below the heart as it can get.

To safely practice inversions, they o safely practice inversions, they should be introduced gradually over several should be introduced gradually over several months, starting with months, starting with mildmild or partial inversions ﬁrst, then gradually attempting steeper inversions.

or partial inversions ﬁrst, then gradually attempting steeper inversions.

In order to manage hypertension, lifestyle management that includes the adoption of a ‘yoga lifestyle’

can be beneﬁcial (Ayammie, 2011). Yoga techniques can help to

can be beneﬁcial (Ayammie, 2011). Yoga techniques can help to treat and prevent treat and prevent high blood pressure,high blood pressure, through a combination of postural work,

through a combination of postural work, meditation, breathing, relaxation and nutrition.meditation, breathing, relaxation and nutrition.

In document Yoga teaching (Page 169-176)