Halasana

[Lars Rimböck]

Dear Yogis

In Germany we have big discussions on Halasana.
A Lot of people say it has a great potential to destroy the upper spine.
For example the BDY the biggest Yoga association in Germany stopped teaching Halsasan at all.
Now I`m curious what you all think about it.
All the best
Lars

[InnerAthlete]

It should be discussed so kudos to you and your group Lars. It falls in the same category with Sarvangasana. And there are many teaching that pose flat on the floor such that the cervical spine is sacrificed or the risk thereto is magnified.

My belief is that many poses should only be taught to students who are assessed. A (healthy) student who does not clearly display the proper actions in their body in Adho Mukha Svanasana should absolutely not be taken up into Sirsasana. A student who has weakness in any of the four muscles comprising the rotator cuff; supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis should not be taken up into Pincha Mayurasana (or chaturanga for that matter).

Unfortunately we (as yoga teachers) have not fully embraced two concepts. One, making safety a prime directive and two, continuing our education in such a way as to be able to execute number one.

I have and will continue to teach Halasna on the same propping that I teach Sarvangasana and ONLY to and for those students who's body and body actions warrant it. When in doubt, modify, When in further doubt, substitute.

[Pandara]

Dear Lars,

I can understand why they have stopped it and I must say I fully agree with IA as well. Safety in our practices is so important and most teachers neglect it terribly sometimes. Most white South Africans (I can only speak from my experience in my own country) are a mixture of German, Dutch and French blood and genes and one of the things we have inherited from our ancestors is a good and heavy bone structure, the same goes for most Africans here as well, they are short and very stocky in their build with heavy bone stucture. I cannot teach them the same as I would teach a class full of Indians who have little muscle to their thighs and claves and who have a much lighter bone structure.

My rule is simple: I don't teach my students something if I am not absolutely convinced that they are or that I am ready for it.

Again it brings me to the fast-food mentality of our society, people think yoga is like a MacDonalds Drive-thru, drive in and a few days later you are an expert yogi! We as teachers need to bring patience back into our practice and we need to emphasize that aspect with our students as well. I think we all here on this forum have read about terrible things happening to people due to the fact that they don't have proper guidance from a competent teacher.

On the other hand we must be careful not to allow over-regulation of yoga as this will eventually result in just another dogmatic and gym-like routine. Balance and good common sense is here the key.

[Lars Rimböck]

Dear Inner Athlete, dear Pandara

Thanks for your answers.
It is like Pandara said the drive through mentality that brings people in pain and trouble. There is one big association in Gemany training there Yoga teachers within four weeks, and lateron I have students of them on the Telefon almost on to quit Yoga at all because of their terible pain after the Yoga classes.
So in a couple of German Yoga Forums I´m in an nearly endless discussion with this group.
Over regulation is of cause not the answer to it but still I feel there is big lack of information on this problem in a big part of the German Yoga movement.
Inner Athlete, which modifications would you suggest to practise Halasana as well as Sarvangasana more safe?

All the best
Lars

[Pandara]

Dear Lars,

I am amazed, yoga teacher training in 4 weeks? I know it is happening in South Africa as well, but I have a problem with this, brings me back to the Drive-thru effect. The reason why all of us most probably see students with injuries is because of poorly trained teachers.

[InnerAthlete]

Originally Posted by Lars Rimböck

Dear Inner Athlete, dear Pandara
...Inner Athlete, which modifications would you suggest to practise Halasana as well as Sarvangasana more safe?
Lars

The foundation of Sarvangasana is raised or supported by several neatly folded blankets wrapped in a sticky mat. We use foamy pads but I am not sure where you would view such a thing in Germany. The support must be located under C7 the last of the cervical vertebrae. In other words, C7 must be supported while the skull tips back to the floor - heading away from the wall rather than toward it. In this way the curve of the cervical spine is preserved rather than compromised. Students with pre-existing neck issue take more height. All students come up with feet on the wall, not in the center of the room.

There are several other modifications that are employed but it's too much for an internet forum. It is most appropriate in a workshop or TT setting.

The set up for Halasana is almost identical except that the student is turned and the props move away from the base of the wall so the student can come into the pose (Halasana) with their soles on the wall.

[Lars Rimböck]

Dear Innner Athlete, dear Pandara

Thanks for the Tips.
Yes this short trainings is drive through mentality and still Yesterday I found out 4 weeks aren´t the shortest Teachers Trainings over here.
In a German Forum I heard about an offer to become Yoga Trainer within 40 Hours and it sounds to me like a bad joke.
All the best
Lars

[Jozen-Bo]

Hello,I have a predominate Norwegian history in my Genes. I am 6 foot 6 inches, rather thin, and very gummy. When I was younger I was the most flexible kid in my martial arts school, and fellow students called me gummy man (daddy long leggs was another nickname they gave me). Would the Halasana be dangerous for me? If I were to do it, could I regulate myself, sensing my bodies limits before I damage myself?

[yogaroads]

Even Iyengar states in later books that the shoulders should be supported. Over the long term-shoulder stands and head stands can damage the neck.

I agree that students must be strong enough-and you must make note of the C7. Many students are in a hurry to obtain inversions. I noticed that Iyengar teachers (certified as such) still do not use props in shoulder stands.

[lucastp_532]

if u perform halasana , make sure u perform asanas like dhanurasana to reverse the effect. u have to maintain a balance.
slow and steady wins the race.

[Hubert]

I am renouncing the practice of Halasana, for this lifetime.
I never really liked it, anyway.

[Lars Rimböck]

Hello Hubert

So did I.
Since my first Yoga teachers have not been carefull enough with this asana I ended up with neck problems.
All the best
Lars