Recent press articles about Yoga - a response from the BWY

The recent New York Times article on the 'dangers' of yoga, adapted from a book by William J. Broad on The Science of Yoga: The Risks and Rewards, is heavy on anecdote and slim on science. It is full of physiological inaccuracies and confines itself to the most sensationalistic aspects of yoga-related injury, cherry-picking a few extreme examples to implicate the entire practice.

A more balanced article would acknowledge that it is problematic to produce accurate figures on injuries directly causally linked solely to the practice of yoga. Injuries can result from physical activity whether or not we are taking risks. This is not to say that yoga practice is without risk of injuries, which might occur due to the over enthusiasm of a student who wants to achieve more extreme postures and ignores the guidance of the teacher. It could also be that a student has an underlying health issue which they haven't shared with the teacher—a problem which can be exacerbated in very full classes in gyms etc.

Mr Black – the yoga teacher interviewed by Broad – is quoted as saying that he has no formal training for determining which yoga poses are good for a student and which may be problematic, preferring to rely on his 'ton of experience'. At the British Wheel of Yoga (the National Governing Body for Yoga), we do not rely solely on experience. Our teachers complete a rigorous diploma course (the only yoga teaching qualification in the UK equivalent to the first year of undergraduate study), which includes modules on physiology and anatomy, and gives advice and guidance on ways in which postures can be modified so that people with underlying health issues can practise safely. All our teachers have professional indemnity insurance and BWY members benefit from insurance that covers them against injury.

Anyone can practise yoga, regardless of age, sex or ability. As well as stretching and strengthening the body, yoga improves posture, promotes feelings of relaxation and has been linked to improved concentration, better quality sleep and a reduction of anxiety and depression. The British Wheel of Yoga, in conjunction with Sheffield University, is about to publish a research report into the therapeutic effects of yoga for health and wellbeing and, if Mr Broad's experience is anything to go by, we look forward to the comment and debate which we hope will be stimulated by our research. Maybe the biggest benefit for him is that, after the publication of his extremely inflammatory article in the New York Times, his book shot to the top of yoga category on Amazon.

Pierre Bibby CEO, The British Wheel of Yoga

Newsletter Editor Appointed

Congratulations to Jo Rooney on her co-option as Regional Newsletter Editor for BWY West Midlands. Jo holds the BWY teaching diploma and lives in Coventry. She has worked as a nurse and IT Specialist in the NHS and brings great expertise to this role. Thank you to Jo for this service to the yoga community.

The BWY West Midlands Regional Newsletter

For many years this newsletter has been a chief line of communication for BWY members within this region.

Having listened to various members around the region we realise that the most important page of the Newsletter is the Diary of Events, summarizing what is planned in this area. With the new website in place we hope that there will no longer be a need for the Newsletter in its current format. Instead we would like to propose that from the end of the year all our members receive a simple Diary of Events on a quarterly basis. This means that the Autumn 2010 edition will be the last one with the newsletter in this format.

By moving towards a digital format we will be able to save considerable costs from our budget. With the current limited number of BWY members in our Region the existing newsletter format has proven to be beyond our means. We appreciate that not everyone will welcome these measures but hope that you understand the implications of continued rising costs. Please feel free to send your comments or concerns to your County Rep or any member of the Regional Committee whose contact details are on the back page.

Signed by the BWY West Midlands Regional Committee.