Feb 15 2008
Yoga as a Diagnostic Tool
Yoga is a an amazing diagnostic tool. A regular practice of yoga can give you immediate feedback to the strengths, weaknesses, and muscular imbalances that are currently existing in your body. For instance, if you are asked to practice a shoulder bind (both shoulders pulled behind the back with hands clasping eachother), and you are unable to wrap both arms behind the shoulders, this gives you immediate feedback that the musculature in your shoulder girdle and/or rotator cuff are inhibited. This information is important for three main reasons. 1. Shoulders are designed to have range of motion where the shoulderblade can easily lift up and away from the back body giving the arms the freedom to move behind the back. 2. With regular awareness, into this area, you can begin to actively target a yoga sequence to release the shoulders BEFORE injury occurs. 3. To receive, on a regular basis, feedback about your body’s flexibility is empowering! When you understand where the body is limited you can change it!