Yoga
comes from the Sanskrit Word “Yuj” which means the union of an individual and
the universal consciousness. Often when we hear or read yoga we visualize an
image of twisting in apparently painful positions. Although postures or asanas
are significant part of the teachings of yoga they are not all to the yoga.
Yoga
has different schools of philosophy including Hatha Yoga that comprises of the
asanas. It promotes both physical and mental well-being through medium of
postures. It provides an individual with the physical fitness; other yoga types
empower us with devotion, wisdom, etc. During ancient times it was taught to
students in Gurukul after they pass a rigorous test.
Nowadays,
yoga is being associated with only the physical postures wherein the vital teachings
of yoga are maintaining a unanimous state of mind. As per Bhagavad Gita, the holy book of the
Hindus, “Yoga is skill in action and expression”.
Let
us try to unravel the mysteries about yoga as the world is gearing up to
celebrate the first ever International Day of Yoga.
World Yoga Day:
Over
the past few decades, yoga had gone through complete transformation for once it
was frowned upon but now accepted as one of the best natural therapies. The
benefits of yoga have been noticed in the international community as well. Yoga
is not simply an exercise but it is how skillfully we act and communicate in a
given situation. Hence it is described as a mind skill and the ability to remain
centered even in adverse situations. The postures contribute to healthy body
and meditation or pranayama gives you healthy mind. Hence yoga contributes to uniting the diverse
aspects of life.
The
United Nations has passed a resolution by declaring June 21st as the
International Yoga Day on December 11, 2014. Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi in his speech suggested 21st June to be celebrated as World
Yoga Day because as per the Hindu Mythology, the first transmission of yoga
began on this day. The first transmission was performed by Lord Shiva, the
first Guru.
Yoga after Surgery: Is it Safe?
Yoga
after surgery can be dangerous, so it is advised to go ahead with yoga after
consulting your doctor. Yoga may cause excessive physical strain on your body
and so you should wait for few weeks after surgery and then resume yoga. However,
you can move ahead with meditation poses of yoga without much harm. It is
suggested to avoid straining your body with excessive physical routine so that
you avoid fatal injury. Check with your yoga instructor regarding safe asanas
you can perform post surgery.
Practicing
yoga involves physical and mental activities that train both your mind and body
effectively. Surgery comprises of the infliction of a physical wound for
accessing some internal organs of your body that requires treatment or removal
of abnormal cells or repairs the damages.
Performing
yoga after surgery will entirely depend on the type of surgery that has been
performed. For example, if the surgery has been performed on one of the lower
limbs, then you can practice all the seated yoga poses. This will help work out
for your upper body part. If you had undergone surgery for abdomen or chest,
then there is little yoga you can do for a period of weeks until your surgical
wound has healed completely.
Therefore,
it is important to consult your doctor to figure out which part of your body
can be exercised. Some people will be restricted to breathing exercises or
basic poses during recovery period of surgery. You should strictly avoid
extreme poses of yoga post surgery else could end up damaging your surgical
wound. Eventually, this would lengthen your recovery period.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Yoga after Surgery:
- Advantages of yoga after surgery can be seen in patients who have undergone procedures like hemorrhoidectomy or a tummy tuck.
- Y Yoga involving Vinayasa and Ashtanga greatly helps to improve your blood circulation which reduces the risk of blood clots after surgery. While performing the Vinayasa poses you should avoid exerting pressure on the operated area of your body.
- Breathing techniques practiced in pranayama are quite helpful to lightly engage the abdominal muscles for improving the blood circulation. This will eventually help to reduce the swelling after surgery.
- Advantages of yoga post surgery can be seen in case of a hemorrhoidectomy by regularly performing breathing exercises. One of the breathing exercises Mool Bandh involves squeezing your anal muscles. Patients practicing this technique usually recover sooner.
- Patients are advised to practice yoga after surgery under the guidance of a trained professional.
- The only disadvantage of performing other yoga post surgery includes not able to practice some strenuous forms of yoga.
- Patients can find difficulty in performing the fast breathing techniques or Bikram yoga especially if they have gone through the abdominal surgeries. This can cause unnecessary strain ion the operated area and in worst case cause post surgery complications.
References:
® Mikel
Burley, Haṭha-Yoga: Its Context, Theory, and Practice, Delhi: Motilal
Banarsidass Publ., (Jan 1, 2000)
