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Show 4 Thursday March 8, 2012 OPINION www.dailyutahchronicle.corn Be cautious of yoga's health risks RACHEL JACKSON StaffWriter A fter about six years of doing yoga, I realized the dangers tied to this seemingly peaceful activity. I started yoga in an effort to correct a mild curvature of my spine and became particularly interested after receiving the recommendation from a doctor. After all this time, I was shocked to learn that if done incorrectly, yoga can be dangerous — even fatal. Yoga is commonly known as a practice of peace and meditation that can lead you into a mystical world of relaxation. It can also be a great form of muscle-toning exercise if practiced regularly. It doesn't necessarily provide a cardio or fat-burning workout, but if you are looking to build muscle strength and flexibility, then yoga is your ticket. I knew of all these benefits and was enjoying my practice until I began reading The Science of Yoga, by William J. Broad. It opened my eyes to the scientific approach to yoga and the many dangers that can arise from different poses. One of the riskiest poses is the plow position with the legs inverted up over the head. It applies a large amount of pressure on the neck, and the slightest incorrect twist of the neck in this posture could cause injuries to the vertebral arteries. According to Broad, the vertebral basilar arteries have a direct connection to the brain and, if damaged, can cause a rare type of stroke that can lead to death. The second type of yoga-induced injury that intrigued me was joint dislocation. These can happen during a type of practice called bikram yoga, a style of yoga that includes a series of postures and breathing exercises that are performed in a very hot room. When the temperature in the room is very high, you start to sweat, causing your joints and ligaments to loosen. People enjoy this because it allows them to be more flexible than they normally would be. Unfortunately, this can lead to a higher chance of dislocation when performing more difficult poses. As frightening as these things are — and believe me, I was terrified — don't rip up your yoga punch-pass quite yet. These injuries are very rare and, according to Broad's book, less than 5 percent of neck injuries actually result in death. If you think about it, the number of people who practice yoga worldwide is very large. YOGA itt.soPoos b V -4,c14 LLOS S/09/7.0 i #1 . WILLUS BRANHAM/The Daily Utah Chronicle "In [Western] yoga, we are so much about doing the postures 'right' that we move before we let our breath lead the way, and in so doing we open ourselves up to injury," said Vicki Yost, an instructor at Breathe yoga in Daybreak. "In my experience, in my yoga practice, when I am listening to my breath, I have advanced further and faster, and without injury. If I am truly practicing my yoga, I cannot cause injury" I agree. I think yoga doesn't directly cause these injuries, but it can contribute to when an injury occurs. Broad talked about how he suffered a back injury while doing yoga, but how it probably was caused by his multiple years of jogging instead of the actual practice of yoga. I prefer to take it easy anyway and like to focus on balancing poses. Yoga and meditation keep me balanced throughout the day. I also like to pair this with daily sun-salutations — a series of postures performed with a graceful flow timed with breathing that allows you to welcome the sun and take on the day. Yoga is not something that should be feared. Keep doing yoga because the benefits outweigh the risks, but as with everything, you should be mindful of potential dangers. letters@chronicle.utah.edu MUSS registration Students should shape up U fitness classes are underutilized needs revamping T or Utah football fans, the most important day of the season could very well be MUSS registration day. The annual ritual decides whether fans will be taking in the gridiron from the 50-yard line or whether they will be condemned to the far corner nosebleed seats. MUSS registration can be frustrating for students and should undergo some changes to complement the popularity of Utah football. After Utah's first season in the Pac12, the MUSS finds itself faced with a significant increase in student interest. Although the student section will not be able to expand the actual size of the section barring an expansion to the stadium, changes can still be made to streamline registration. The major change students must face this year is the reduction from three days for registration down to one day. For the MUSS Board, this is a change that will alleviate several pressing issues with registration. The change was made because "[three-day registration] becomes quite difficult when merging the seating charts," said Brynn Whitchurch, executive secretary for the Alumni Association. The reduction clears up some problems with groupings, as students can now register their entire group all on the same day. The only real detriment to single-day registration is the yearly battle the organization will face against slow and crashing servers. Provided the campus IT department can process the large number of requests, one-day registration will likely remain in practice. The MUSS website is also due for some much-needed revamping because students are unable to manage their own accounts or access information until a set time before specific events are scheduled to occur. The exclusive use of email as a means of communication between students and F DYLAN VOGEL Staff Writer the MUSS board has both advantages and disadvantages. Although students are always able to get in touch with a real person when they need to, the inability to view one's own account status instantly creates some problems. Students can receive their account info second hand from the MUSS board via email, but this extra step creates unneeded chaos. However, the MUSS is taking a step in the right direction by working toward a loyalty-rewarding system. "We definitely want to reward people who are coming to every single football game," Whitchurch said. This move would not only reward the students who are most dedicated to Utah athletics, but works to keep the seats in the stadium filled. This type of arrangement has previously been impossible because of the inability to track who is coming to the games. However, this could be resolved in the near future. The move could also be modified to promote sports that are struggling with low attendance, such as men's basketball. Although football fans might not appreciate going to basketball games, the most loyal supporters of Utah athletics should be acknowledged for their dedication, and the MUSS has an opportunity to do so. Utah and the Pac-12 are expanding, and the MUSS is going to need to expand with it. Although the current system in place has worked and might continue to work for a while, changes will have to be made or more problems will arise. letters@chronicle.utah.edu he U ranked 21st on the "Fittest Colleges in America" survey done by Men's Fitness ARIELLE magazine. Congratulations, NEWMAN students, we are in great shape. The survey used student responses to questions StaffWriter about their personal diet and exercise habits in addition $60, students can attend an to factors such as the availabilunlimited number of fitness ity of fast food and proximity classes throughout the entire of bars. The largest composemester. They don't even have nent of the scores given is the to travel — just a quick trip to availability of fitness instructhe Field House between caltors and facilities on or near culus and underwater basket campus. weaving. The fitness program offered With such an accommoat the Field House is reflected dating and extremely cheap in the U's high ranking. The resource, one would think that University Fitness Program all students would be motioffers a plethora of classes vated to sign up. However, seven days a week during varionly about 270 FITPASS and 120 12-Punch cards are sold ous time periods to students who purchase the FITPASS or per semester. Additionally, 12-Punch cards. Classes include most classes are usually only yoga, pilates, cycling, cardio, half full, with the exception of Zumba and cycling. kickboxing, aqua toning and the incredibly popular Zumba. I was baffled when I learned "The cost of the FITPASS these statistics. I hold a FITand/or 12-Punch card is an PASS, and I try to go as often incredible value. With the FITas I can because I know my PASS, the holder is able to atbody is healthier when I do. I tend as many classes per week/ am shocked that so few of my semester as they can fit into fellow students take advantheir schedule," said Paula Ertage of the fitness program to icson, assistant for the Fitness amplify their personal exercise Program, in an email. "Because habits. we offer such a wide variety It has been proven time and time again how incredibly imof classes, the participants can design a well-rounded exerportant exercise is for each of cise program for themselves us — It is essential to healthy ... [with] cardio, mind/body, living. [and] strengthening/toning." Exercise does not just con24 Hour Fitness charges trol weight, but cares for the anywhere from $20 to $90 a body and mind. Many serious month, Gold's Gym charges health concerns can be better $20 to $40 a month, and Planet managed or even prevented via Fitness charges $io a month consistent workouts, according but offers no classes. For only to the Mayo Clinic. Exercise increases energy levels, giving you the boost you need to finish that term paper. Additionally, being active improves sleep quality, allowing students to be more refreshed and alert during the day. Being physically active greatly improves mood and can help decrease feelings of depression and anxiety. The rate of mental illness among college students has increased by more than io percent in the past decade, according to a study by the American Psychological Association. Here at the U, 34.1 percent of females and 25.5 percent of males are in need of mental health treatment, according to the Student Affairs Action Coalition. Depression and anxiety are serious and debilitating conditions. Exercise can easily remedy even the occasional case of the blues. Exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Although you might think, "Well, duh," you should be thinking, "If exercise is so important, what am I doing to make sure I'm not an unhealthy couch potato waiting for a heart attack?" Our present habits can determine our future health outcomes. With so many benefits to consistent exercise and the convenience of the U's fitness program, more students should be taking advantage of these amazing opportunities. All types of exercise courses have intrinsic value, and we can better our whole selves by going. We were ranked highly by Men's Fitness because we have these resources at our disposal — use them! letters@chronicle.utah.edu |