After starting yoga my cholesterol levels have increased. Why is that so?
Yoga does not usually cause an increase in cholesterol levels. In fact certain yoga poses are said to be beneficial in cases of high cholesterol. If you have found that your cholesterol levels have increased after you have started practicing yoga, then there probably is some other reason for it.
Yoga can have many side effects if one is not careful. Muscle and ligament damage are known to be some of the common conditions caused by excessive stretching. On rare occasions nerve and vertebral damage have also been caused by prolonged poses. Other rare side effects that may be caused are a worsening of glaucoma or even stroke due to elevated blood pressure. More common are gastric disorders such a gastric reflux.
On the other hand, certain poses such as the Shoulder Stand or Sarvangasana, the Half Spinal Twist or Ardha Matsyendrasana, the Locust Pose or Shalabhasana and the Kneeling Pose or Vajrasana can all help to lower cholesterol levels.
If you suffer from any back problems, cardiac conditions including hypertension, atherosclerosis, lung disease, glaucoma, ear problems, osteoporosis or cervical spondylosis then you should avoid certain poses. Inform your yoga instructor about your condition and follow his or her advice on which exercises to avoid. You could also look into your diet to reduce cholesterol levels.
Submitted by G M on August 10, 2012 at 12:40
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