Groves James E. - The Harvard Medical School guide to yoga: eight weeks to strength, awareness, and flexibility

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Copyright 2017 by Harvard University

Illustrations, Figures, and Tables: Marlynn Wei, MD, JD

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Groves, James E., author. | Wei, Marlynn, author.

Title: The Harvard Medical School guide to yoga : eight weeks to strength, awareness, and flexibility / by Marlynn Wei, MD, JD and James Groves MD.

Description: First Da Capo Press edition. | Boston, MA : Da Capo Lifelong Books, a member of the Perseus Books Group, 2017.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016057402 | ISBN 9780738219363 (paperback) | ISBN 9780738219370 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Hatha yogaPopular works. | Self-care, HealthPopular works. | BISAC: HEALTH & FITNESS / Yoga. | BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Meditation.

Classification: LCC RA781.7 .G77 2017 | DDC 613.7/046dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016057402

Published by Da Capo Press, an imprint of Perseus Books, LLC, a subsidiary of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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Note: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. This book is intended only as an informative guide for those wishing to know more about health issues. In no way is this book intended to replace, countermand, or conflict with the advice given to you by your own physician. The ultimate decision concerning care should be made between you and your doctor. We strongly recommend you follow his or her advice. Information in this book is general and is offered with no guarantees on the part of the authors or Da Capo Press. The authors and publisher disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book.

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E3-20170602-JV-PC

While the authors of this book have taken great care in presenting the material you will find in this book, the book is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The medical information is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. If you have any health concerns or conditions that warrant special attention, please seek the advice of a health professional before beginning a yoga practice or attempting any of the practices or poses described in this book. If you experience pain or other side effects when trying the poses presented here, please seek appropriate medical attention.

For beginners, rapid and forceful breathing exercises, such as the Breath of Fire (see ), should be done only with the guidance and supervision of a certified yoga teacher. Rigorous, forceful breathing should also be avoided during pregnancy. People with medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, such respiratory issues as asthma, seizure disorders, panic or anxiety disorders, or bipolar disorder should check with their doctor first before doing such yoga breathing because it can lead to high blood pressure and hyperventilation, which can then trigger such medical issues as seizures, panic attacks, or asthma episodes.

Its important to remember that yoga breathing exercises should never be painful. If you experience sudden pain or difficulty breathing during or after intense yoga breathing, you should stop immediately and seek medical attention. The risk of yoga breathing is unclear since it is not yet studied on a large scale, so its important to discuss it with your own doctor before trying these techniques.