I have a stoop in my neck and was wondering, after being told by an older woman (probably late forties) since taking up Yoga that she never had more flexibility in her neck than when she started doing Yoga. She could turn it round with comfort and in both directions, probably to a greater degree as well.
However, I am interested in not just this but correcting my posture also: the relationship between my neck and back is the most noticeable problem areas I have with a stoop and I just want it to look upright and normal.
Can this be achieved with Yoga please?
It sure can. When I first met my husband he used to have a chronic neck and back condition due to what they diagnosed as wearing out of c67 and bottom of his spine's natural wear and tear .Pain killers was how they intended to help him, as physio had not done for him. I introduced yoga to him and sorted out the asanas that would correct his wear and tear. He was convinced that natural wear of body can't be undone but gave it a go with open heart. He did it for well over a year every morning. Then fairly regularly for the next couple of years.
It did correct itself completely. He now gets a kink in his no more than the rest of us do, he does his yoga occasionally for joy of it now but that is it.
Would just say though that in yoga there are contra indications for various conditions certain asanas must never be done if you suffer from a list of things. So please do it with someone who has more than just the physical do how of yoga
good luck
The right one?
Many thanks for your reply.
It's good to hear of positive results, however it could differ from person to person, I'm not sure how to find someone why is more knowledgeable in Yoga than just the physical?
Would you say that the external shape or alignment of the relationship of the neck and back was noticeably different, or he just had more flexibility, please?
What kind of Yoga should I be looking for please, I gather there are a few different types so one has to find the right one for oneself.
Many thanks.
Many thanks for your reply.
It's good to hear of positive results, however it could differ from person to person, I'm not sure how to find someone why is more knowledgeable in Yoga than just the physical?
Would you say that the external shape or alignment of the relationship of the neck and back was noticeably different, or he just had more flexibility, please?
What kind of Yoga should I be looking for please, I gather there are a few different types so one has to find the right one for oneself.
Many thanks.
Hi Hillgate
Yoga clearly aligned something within the neck to make the pain go away. I guess you would rather have reassurance about the external shape and appearance. Postural correction is one of the many many benefits of yoga. One of my class mates had one side of her torso short due to some illness she suffered in her infancy took to yoga as a corrective measure. We saw a slight increase in her height, the difference between the left and the right side visibly diminished. She was about 14 years at that time. Could age play a certain part? How old are you? If you are still growing it may be even easier to correct it but if past your growing years it may need more persistence perhaps...take a lot longer to achieve what you desire...it is not entirely impossible.
I feel you don't need to do a certain type of yoga such as Bikram or hatha etc but only a mixture of yogic movements and asanas around stretching and strengthening the spine.
I wish I could say that it is absolutely possible but can only say that it can help a great deal in correcting the posture more so if taken up while bones are still growing but in any case It is well worth taking up and if you do it for the joy of it, it will certainly add to general well being and confidence.
Hi HG
As a practitioner of Thai & Ayurvedic Yoga Massage, teacher of Qi Gong (a kind of Chinese Yoga, loosely translated) and an on 'n' off student of (Hatha) Yoga, I would say that (Hatha - Physical) Yoga properly practised, supervised, adjusted for individual needs and done mindfully, has the ability to correct postural problems. (Hatha) Yoga properly done can help a whole host of medical problems. I have met two Yoga teachers that got into it due to breaking their backs in accidents (one snowboarding, one horseriding) and was told that they would be in a wheelchair! Well years later they are not!!
It is unfortunate that (Hatha) Yoga books generally seem to have "perfect" people doing "perfect" postures, given the impression that you have to be super fit in the first place. But these impressions can be wrong and (Hatha) Yoga can potentially help most abilities and age groups with a properly qualified teacher.
RP
That is a lot to digest, all I can say is in two days I will be 31.
All the best for your 31st 🙂
Since you are relatively young, Yoga is ideal to help you. Being in your 30's your tissues haven't quite solidified and hopefully easy to shape, compared to say someone in their 50's & 60's who can be often like a concrete block, and can take a lot more effort to sort out.
Those in their 40's are on the threshold!! All generalisations, but patterns I've seen as a practicing bodyworker for many years.
Hello HiiGate,
Yoga is ideal to help you in getting good posture. U can take help from Arhanta Yoga ashram which will provide you various programs so that you can get a good posture.
Hi Hillgate
Yoga clearly aligned something within the neck to make the pain go away. I guess you would rather have reassurance about the external shape and appearance. Postural correction is one of the many many benefits of yoga. One of my class mates had one side of her torso short due to some illness she suffered in her infancy took to yoga as a corrective measure. We saw a slight increase in her height, the difference between the left and the right side visibly diminished. She was about 14 years at that time. Could age play a certain part? How old are you? If you are still growing it may be even easier to correct it but if past your growing years it may need more persistence perhaps...take a lot longer to achieve what you desire...it is not entirely impossible.
I feel you don't need to do a certain type of yoga such as Bikram or hatha etc but only a mixture of yogic movements and asanas around stretching and strengthening the spine.
I wish I could say that it is absolutely possible but can only say that it can help a great deal in correcting the posture more so if taken up while bones are still growing but in any case It is well worth taking up and if you do it for the joy of it, it will certainly add to general well being and confidence.
Hello Jnani!
Thank you for this nice information! I truly learn a lot! I will keep this as a reference for future use!