According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, yoga is a popular discipline that has been linked to increased fitness and relaxation levels. The practice of yoga has evolved from its classical past in ancient India, and now a modern yogi has many options when it comes to choosing a style of yoga. Although yoga can decrease stress and anxiety levels, you risk injury when practicing any type of yoga. Consult your doctor and a knowledgeable yoga teacher before beginning a Kundalini yoga practice to ascertain whether this style of yoga is appropriate for your body.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga practitioners believe that a vast amount of life energy is stored at the base of the spine like a symbolic serpent. The energy located in the spine is called "shakti" and represents the divine feminine. This style of yoga was popularized by Yogi Bhajan in the 1960s. During a Kundalini yoga class, specific movements -- kriyas -- are employed repeatedly and rapidly in order to release the dormant Kundalini energy. Breathing exercises -- pranayama -- are also used, particularly breath retention and rapid abdominal breathing. A Kundalini yoga class can be physically and emotionally intense.
Joint Injuries
Like all yoga classes, each asana has its own risks and contraindications. As yoga's popularity rises, physicians and physical therapists have documented a rise in yoga-related injuries. Weight-bearing postures, such as downward-facing dog, inversions and arm balances, can place unhealthy strain on the joints. Similarly, if you are practicing without a knowledgeable teacher guiding you into proper alignment, you may run the risk of hyperextension in the knees, elbows and shoulders. Never lock the joints of the knees, elbows or shoulders while in a yoga asana.
Sprains and Strains
Often sprains and muscular strains come about through over-zealousness on the yoga practitioner's part. Yoga in the Western world has been criticized for its "no pain, no gain" attitude that sees practitioners pushing themselves further than their bodies can manage. The result is injury. Hamstring injuries are particularly common and are tough to heal. The hamstrings heal slowly, so you may find yourself in need of physical therapy or rest after a hamstring injury, says yoga teacher Cathy Lilly in an article for "The New York Times." Other common injuries come from accidental falls while practicing challenging inversions or arm balances.
Psychological Considerations
Kundalini yoga has been criticized for causing emotional disturbances for some practitioners. The combination of repetitive motion, intensive breathing exercises and meditation has been documented to cause anxiety, nervousness and occasionally psychosis. The 3HO Kundalini Yoga Foundation recommends studying under the tutelage of an experienced Kundalini teacher and not to force the body or energy into an unsafe space. While yoga is practiced in a group, it is a highly individual practice. Always listen to the messages your body is sending you and back off of a pose if you feel strain or pain in order to minimize your risk of injury.
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