Active Engagement: Yoga and Osteoporosis

by Baxter

Roots and Water by Brad Gibson

Earlier this summer, some good news was reported in the New York Times about recent study on the benefits of yoga asana for osteoporosis. Physiatrist Loren Fishman, MD (a physiatrist is an MD who works mostly with helping to rehabilitate those with chronic illnesses and injuries without the use of surgery) released the results of a study on the potential benefits of yoga on the progression, or course, of osteoporosis. Originally enlisting over 180 subjects, the study had participants attend a series of classes to learn a short 10-minute home yoga practice that they were then asked to do daily for two years. Knowing human nature, it is perhaps not surprising that only 11 participants were able to complete the study as required. But those who did had some very encouraging results: an increase in the bone density of hips and spine, while the seven controls with osteoporosis continued to lose bone mass. That’s right, the bones of the yoga practitioners actually got stronger. The downside to this result, of course, is the small number of folks who stuck to it, which means that additional larger studies will be required to confirm these initial encouraging results.

Sadly, we live in a culture that often is looking for the quick fix, the one-pill solution, or the single visit to the doc for the cure. The yoga tradition is pretty clear on how positive change occurs, and how goals are met through regular practice done over the long haul. And this ongoing active engagement concept seems supported by the results from this study. Got 10 minutes a day?

For more about this study and what it might mean for you, check out the New York Times article here. You can get complete information on the study (and see the poses included in the osteoporosis yoga practice) here.

Next week, my Rx for osteoporosis in your home practice. If you can’t wait till then, know that all of your yoga poses are “weight bearing,” so keep on doing some poses you love for now, and I will add in my favorite picks next time!

And remember to ask us questions for our Friday Q&A. Leave questions in a comment or email us at the address in the Contact Us page. 

Subscribe to Yoga for Healthy Aging by Email ° Follow Yoga for Healthy Aging on Facebook ° Join this site with Google Friend Connect