Keeping our Bones Healthy

How can we maintain the health of our bones?

Yoga can help - the practice of yoga poses actually strengthens the bones by increasing the density of the bone. When stress or resistance is placed on bones, it stimulates the bones to grow stronger. A good diet and sunlight (vitamin D) also aid in the maintenance of bone health. Yoga's benefit is that it stresses the bones without impact which can be the case with other forms of exercise.

Why is good posture crucial to the health of our spine and bones?

Correct posture maintains the head over the shoulders and the shoulders in line with the hips. Poor posture can put pressure on the vertebrae and increase the risk of stress fractures. Standing poses help to improve posture and strengthen the legs and feet. Tadasana, Mountain pose, focuses on foundation and foot alignment. See post titled, Feet - Roots to the Earth. Balance poses increase postural stability and strengthen the feet and ankles. Weight-bearing poses such as Downward-facing Dog and Upward-facing Dog build strength in the arms, wrists and spine. Most yoga poses can be performed with the support of a chair or other props.

Caution: Consult with your medical professional if you have a medical condition or injury prior to performing any poses mentioned in this post.

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward-facing Dog pose)

Avoid this pose unless you are practising under the supervision of a qualified teacher.