A Survey of Musculoskeletal Injury among Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Practitioners (original) (raw)

Context: Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a popular and physically demanding Yoga style. Although there is growing concern about the potential risk of injury from Yoga practice, there has been no research to date on the relationship between this form of Yoga and musculoskeletal injuries. Objectives: The first objective of this survey was to determine the proportion of Ashtanga Vinyasa practitioners who are injured and the injury rate per 1,000 hours of practice. The secondary objective was to determine the location, type, and outcome of musculoskeletal injuries. Design: Data was collected via a survey questionnaire from two Yoga centers in Helsinki, Finland and one Yoga center in Tampere, Finland in 2005. All Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practitioners at these centers (estimated total of 300) were invited to complete the survey, whether or not they had suffered from injuries. Setting: Certified and authorized Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teachers teach at these centers, and they all follow the Ashtanga V...