Ah, International Yoga Day! The day when social media explodes with pictures of people contorting their bodies into shapes that resemble a mix between a pretzel and a game of Twister gone horribly wrong. As a neurosurgeon, I’ve seen my fair share of patients who, inspired by these very images, have ended up creating their own “unique” yoga poses. These poses often lead them straight to my office, clutching their backs and begging for relief. Here is a neurosurgeon’s Yoga day special.
Ah, the creativity of the human spirit! Who needs a certified yoga teacher when you can come up with your own poses while battling back pain? I’ve seen it all in my clinic. There’s the classic “Couch Potato Slump,” perfected by hours of Netflix binges. Then there’s the “Desk Hunch,” a favorite among office workers who’ve mastered the art of resembling a question mark. And let’s not forget the “Shopping Cart Lean,” a testament to the resilience of those brave souls braving grocery stores with bad backs. These avant-garde poses, while innovative, have one teeny-tiny downside: they can make your back pain worse. But who cares about that when you’ve invented the “Bent-Over Bill,” a pose that’s as awkward as it sounds?
Take, for instance, Mr. Mhatre, who, in an attempt to replicate the “Scorpion Pose” he saw on Instagram, ended up creating the “Flailing Fish Pose.” The poor man looked like he was auditioning for a role in “The Little Mermaid” rather than engaging in a relaxing yoga session. Or Mrs. Kapoor, whose interpretation of the “Downward Dog” morphed into the “Flopped Frog,” leaving her more immobile than rejuvenated. The creativity of my patients knows no bounds!
As a neurosurgeon, I experience a surge of back pain and neck pain cases in the middle-aged, tech-savvy, IT generation young people. The irony? Many of them confess they tried DIY Yoga from social media videos, only to end up in my clinic, groaning in pain. It seems our tech warriors, after conquering code, believe they can conquer complex yoga poses without guidance. Spoiler alert: they can’t!
On this glorious International Yoga Day, let me emphasize one crucial point: yoga is not just about mastering complicated poses. It’s about incorporating a holistic approach to health and well-being into your daily life. Think of yoga as a way of life rather than a series of Instagram-worthy acrobatics. Trust me, your spine will thank you!
Incorporating yoga into your daily routine can do wonders for your overall health. Simple, gentle stretches and mindful breathing can alleviate stress, improve flexibility, and yes, even help with that pesky back pain. But here’s the catch: you must learn yoga from a trained yoga teacher. Not from your neighbor who claims to be a yoga guru after watching a few YouTube videos, and definitely not from the endless scroll of social media videos.
For those with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes (DM), hypertension, stroke, or vertebral fractures, this advice is even more critical. Attempting advanced poses without proper guidance is like trying to perform brain surgery after watching an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.” It’s a disaster waiting to happen! For instance, someone with a slipped disc should approach yoga with the same caution they would use in a minefield. One wrong move and—boom!—you’re back in my office, faster than you can say “Namaste.”
Let’s not forget the comedy gold that comes from trying to follow a yoga video at home. Picture this: you’re in your living room, trying to keep up with a perky instructor on YouTube. Your dog thinks it’s playtime, your cat decides your yoga mat is the perfect spot for a nap, and your kids run circles around you. By the end, you’re more stressed out than when you started, and your back pain has reached new heights. Trust me, there are better ways to spend your time.
So, dear readers, as you celebrate International Yoga Day, remember to keep it simple and safe. Seek out a qualified yoga instructor who can tailor a program to your specific needs. Embrace yoga as a gentle, healing practice rather than a competitive sport. And for the love of all that is sacred, leave the “Flailing Fish Pose” to the professionals—or better yet, avoid it altogether.
In conclusion, yoga is a fantastic way to enhance your health and well-being when done correctly. But if you find yourself in an impromptu game of Twister with your spine, it might be time to rethink your approach. Here’s to a safe, happy, and humor-filled International Yoga Day!
Namaste and keep those backs straight (with professional help)!
With a steady hand and a dose of humor,
Dr. Nitin Jagdhane
Your Trusted Neurosurgeon
The Author is a distinguished Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon and Professor of Neurosurgery in Mumbai, India, specializes in endovascular neuro-intervention, microneurosurgery and endoscopic spine surgery, renowned for his precision, innovation, and commitment to patient care. He’s currently associated with Cleveland Clinic Florida as a Clinical Fellow in Neurosurgery-Spine.