A rising number of people around the globe are engaging in yoga and there are many factors behind its popularity. Some individuals don their yoga wear for fitness reasons and to help stay in shape. Meanwhile, others focus more on the psychological benefits, as the discipline is known to reduce stress levels.
However, another motivation for people to get involved in the activity is to help relieve certain medical conditions. One of those to take this approach is Linda Harrison. Writing in the Daily Express, she noted that 14 hours ago she started suffering from a “dull ache” in her right shoulder. Over time, the pain got worse and moved across to her left shoulder.
Eventually, the journalist was in almost constant pain across her upper back, neck and shoulders.
After reporting the problem to her GP, she was told to visit a physiotherapist, who managed to ease the problems slightly, but only until Ms Harrison returned to work.
However, things began to change when she decided to slip into some yoga clothing and attend a class. Commenting on her first session, she claimed that “something miraculous happened”.
She noted that she and her fellow attendees “stretched and twisted” their bodies and part way through the class, she felt a sharp “pop” as something shifted around the middle of her spine.
Ms Harrison remarked: “As I held the pose I can only describe the feeling as a total, blissful release in my muscles. I wanted to cry. I was a convert.
“That was eight months ago and I now religiously practise yoga twice a week. If I miss a class I soon feel the pain start to creep back into my upper back, neck and shoulders.”
The journalist is by no means the only individual to have experienced health benefits as a result of donning her yoga wear and getting involved in this ancient discipline.