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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
HEALTH
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2004
Yoga relaxes the mind, heals the body
Bikram's yoga is alternative to physical therapy to heal, prevent chronic injury
By Julie Jones
jjones@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Bikram's yoga does more than build muscles and calm minds. The practice also heals injuries and chronic pain, sometimes better than physical therapy.
Courtney Kuhlen/Kansan
Kathy Varney, Lawrence resident, foreground, breathes deeply with the rest of Elizabeth Marshall's Bikram's yoga class. Bikram's yoga is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees, which allows for deeper stretching.
Brett Hendrix, Kansas City, Kan., December graduate, injured his knee eight years ago and has since had trouble fully extending it. After only two Bikram's classes, Hendrix felt healthier, his mind was clearer and he noticed more flexibility in his knee.
"I was convinced I'd always have to live with this bad knee. I soon found out that wasn't true." Hendrix said. "I do think physical therapy is a great thing, but for me, two sessions of yoga have been better than a year of physical therapy."
In Bikram's yoga, the room is heated to 105 degrees. The hot temperature keeps the body from overheating, protects the muscles from injury and allows for deeper stretching.
The heat opens the pores, releasing toxins from the body. The blood thins, clearing the circulatory system, and heart
rate increases for a more efficient cardiovascular workout.
"By improving circulation to every cell, every system, every ligament, every muscle and every joint, you improve their function," said Elizabeth Marshall, owner of Bikram's Yoga College of India, 711 W 23rd St.
Marshall said she often sees yoga students with back, neck and shoulder pain. Knee injuries, herniated and slipped discs, scoliosis and arthritis are also common ailments.
The benefit of Bikram's yoga is that it works all of the body together, whereas physical therapy only aims to heal specific parts of the body, said Marshall.
The practice strictly follows a 26 posture series, done in the same order each and every time. The scientific method prevents injury by allowing each posture to get the body ready for the next one.
Every teacher is intensely trained, certified and knowledgeable in the treatment of injuries.
New students are always asked if they have an injury. Marshall said it was normal for a new student to hear they aren't
ready for a pose and to pull back.
Carrie Houghton, Lawrence Memorial Hospital physical therapist, said that yoga was a good alternative to traditional physical therapy for chronic, more than acute, injuries.
ment would allow for more flexibility and should prevent injury.
Until you are aware of your body's limits, be more cautious about overdoing it to avoid overstretching, she said.
Houghton said Bikram's hot environ- -Edited by Miranda Lenning