blog

Neck rotation: Normally, the neck can stretch backward 75 degrees, forward 40 degrees and sideways 45 degrees, and it can rotate on its axis about 50 degrees. Yoga practitioners typically move the vertebrae much farther. An intermediate student can easily turn his or her neck 90 degrees — nearly twice the normal rotation. there is a story of one woman who took 2 years to walk again, and a man who took 2 months – both suggesting yoga as a cause. In my classes, the movement of the neck is always gentle, with a focus on remaining comfortable with easy breathing throughout each pose.

Over stretching: Bikram yoga could raise the risk of overstretching, muscle damage and torn cartilage. Stretching should always be done smoothly, and start gently. In cold climates it is not surprising that the body might get a surprise coming from stretchy hot to a suddenly cold damp environment. Use common sense and avoiding ‘trying hard’.

Shoulder stand: ‘muscle strains, overstretched ligaments and cervical-disk injuries’ Roger Cole, Iyengar teacher. In class about once a term we do shoulder stand, moving in such a way, that it is not possible to get into it if your body is not ready. There are many modifications that allow the benefits to be enjoyed safely.

Headstand: ‘too dangerous for general yoga classes’ Timothy McCall, physician & medical editor of Yoga Journal. I dont do headstands in my general classes for this reason, although i do practice them at home and with small groups when appropriate.

The Good News: The story behind the stories

The man who took 2 months to learn to walk had a series of bruises down his back from doing shoulder stands on a hard surface! Yoga is not self sabbotage or suffering. If you notice pain at any point: stop! Our egos can drive us to unhelpful places where we ‘aim high’, in yoga it is best not to aim at all and stay in the experience of each pose at each moment.

‘Asana is not a cure-all…. if you do it with ego or obsession, you’ll end up causing problems.’

We have to be especially kind as we are not living the life that ancient yogis did. This is why poses are modified: so our bodies can BENEFIT from yoga, not just achieve a new shape.

‘Indian practitioners of yoga typically squatted and sat cross-legged in daily life, and yoga poses, or asanas, were an outgrowth of these postures. Now urbanites who sit in chairs all day walk into a studio a couple of times a week and strain to twist themselves into ever-more-difficult postures despite their lack of flexibility and other physical problems’

Self care is very important. You can practice yoga safely at any age, with awareness. Awareness is more important than rushing through a series of postures just to say you’d done them.

“Is this yoga?…. It is if you’re paying attention.”  Glenn Black

Yoga can calm, cure, energize and strengthen, it can lower your blood pressure, make chemicals that act as antidepressants and even improve your sex life.

Be mindful of your body as you practice: it should feel GOOD and KIND.

“Real yoga is as safe as mother’s milk” Swami Gitananda

For dramatic individual stories look up ‘How yoga can wreck your body’. Although to be quite frank I think your time and energy would be better spent doing relaxing yoga or contemplating how you can be KIND to your fantastic body and home.

Connie Dennison is set to take the Guinness World Records title from a Canadian pensioner, after finding out she is two years older than her fellow yogini.

It has taken many months for her two daughters, five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and many devotees of her teaching to convince Mrs Dennison to claim her rightful title.

They told how Mrs Dennison, 98, had agreed to them getting in touch with the Guinness book only after being persuaded by pupils at the weekly class she has held at the same Dunfermline church for 40 years.

It comes a year after 
Canadian Ida Herbert, 96, was named as the oldest yoga teacher in the world.

Mrs Dennison’s granddaughter Susannah Dean, 43, said she was pleased her grandmother was finally interested in applying for the title.

She said: “She’s always said no in the past, but I think she’s enjoying herself just now, and now we know that she is definitely the oldest, it’s wonderful.

“What an achievement, and what a wonderful story she has to tell. She is a strong, powerful and vibrant woman and has always been a great inspiration to me.”

Mrs Dennison has handed down her yoga techniques to three generations of her family and says the ancient exercise regime – which originated in India and works both the body and the mind – has kept her young at heart. “I’m quite sure that I’d be in a wheelchair if I didn’t have yoga,” she said. “My legs have been stronger since I started and it has helped me and my family.”

She started practising yoga when she was living in Melbourne, Australia, when she was in her 40s. At that time, yoga was almost unheard of in the UK.

The former hairdresser, who drove trucks across the UK delivering food supplies during the Second World War, has outlived her two sisters and brother. Her husband, Tom, a retired minister, passed away 20 years ago.

Her pupils include more than a dozen women who attend the weekly sessions at St Leonard’s Church in Dunfermline.

Marion Slaughter has been attending Mrs Dennison’s classes for about 20 years. She said: “I love the class; it keeps you moving. Connie is the most fabulous person I’ve ever come across.

“Anytime I feel down, I think about what she would do, and I bounce back. She’s brilliant.”

Another class member, Janet Bolton, said: “She’s marvellous, and we thoroughly enjoy the class. It keeps you fit but isn’t too strenuous.”

Mrs Dennison has always started her classes at 10am sharp, beginning with relaxation techniques. During her 60-minute class, she takes her group through a series of moves, including sun salutes, tree pose and child’s pose. Still flexible thanks to a lifetime of regular practice, she is capable of more advanced poses, in which she extends her legs over her head.

Sophia Henderson, 88, another pupil, said: “We would love Connie to be in the Guinness World Records, it would be wonderful for her. I’m sure we would also be inundated with requests to join our class.”

Guinness World Records unofficially confirmed the Scot appeared to be the world record holder.

A spokeswoman said: “Guinness World Records is extremely happy to hear about Mrs Dennison’s achievement. Mrs Dennison and her family can make a claim if they wish this achievement to be verified by our record management team.”