Table Of ContentSUPPORTING YOGA
STUDENTS WITH
COMMON INJURIES
AND CONDITIONS
Yoga Teaching Guides
As it grows in popularity, teaching yoga requires an increasing set of skills and
understanding, in terms of both yoga practice and knowledge. This series of
books guides you towards becoming an accomplished, trusted yoga teacher
by refining your teaching skills and methods. The series, written by experts in
the field, focuses on the key topics for yoga teachers – including sequencing,
language in class, anatomy and running a successful and thriving yoga business
– and presents practical information in an accessible manner and format for all
levels. Each book is filled with visual aids to enhance the reading experience,
and includes ‘top tips’ to highlight and emphasize key ideas and advice.
in the same series
Qigong in Yoga Teaching and Practice
Understanding Qi and the Use of Meridian Energy
Joo Teoh
Foreword by Mimi Kuo-Deemer
ISBN 978 1 78775 652 6
eISBN 978 1 78775 653 3
of related interest
Yoga Teaching Handbook
A Practical Guide for Yoga Teachers and Trainees
Edited by Sian O’Neill
ISBN 978 1 84819 355 0
eISBN 978 0 85701 313 2
Chair Yoga
Seated Exercises for Health and Wellbeing
Edeltraud Rohnfeld
Illustrated by Edeltraud Rohnfeld
ISBN 978 1 84819 078 8
eISBN 978 0 85701 056 8
The Complete Yoga Anatomy Colouring Book
Katie Lynch
ISBN 978 1 84819 420 5
The Yoga Teacher Mentor
A Reflective Guide to Holding Spaces, Maintaining
Boundaries, and Creating Inclusive Classes
Jess Glenny
Foreword by Norman Blair
ISBN 978 1 78775 126 2
eISBN 978 1 78775 127 9
SUPPORTING YOGA
STUDENTS WITH
COMMON INJURIES
AND CONDITIONS
A Handbook for Teachers and Trainees
Dr. Andrew McGonigle, MBBS
Series Editor: Sian O’Neill
First published in Great Britain in 2021 by Singing Dragon,
an imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
An Hachette Company
1
Copyright © Dr. Andrew McGonigle 2021
The right of Dr. Andrew McGonigle to be identified as the Author of the Work has been
asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Asana illustrations throughout the book created by Marie Yagami.
Illustrations on pages 126–128 created by Hank Grebe
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without
the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated
in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and
without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is not intended to replace
the services of trained medical professionals or to be a substitute for medical
advice. The complementary therapy described in this book may not be suitable for
everyone to follow. You are advised to consult a doctor before embarking on any
complementary therapy programme and on any matters relating to your health, and
in particular on any matters that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the
British Library and the Library of Congress
ISBN 978 1 78775 469 0
eISBN 978 1 78775 470 6
Printed and bound in the United States by Integrated Books International
Jessica Kingsley Publishers’ policy is to use papers that are natural, renewable and recyclable
products and made from wood grown in sustainable forests. The logging and manufacturing
processes are expected to conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.
Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Carmelite House
50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
www.singingdragon.com
CONTENTS
Preface 9
Introduction 11
What’s the difference between an injury and a medical condition? 11
The prevalence of yoga-related injuries 12
Preventing injury 12
The role of alignment 14
The structure of the handbook 14
Communicating with Students 18
Why do we check in with students at the start of a class? 18
Basic guidelines for communication 21
PART 1: THE LOWER LIMB AND PELVIS
1. The Foot and Ankle 26
The anatomy of the foot 26
The anatomy of the ankle joint 30
Common foot and ankle injuries and conditions 33
Key yoga asanas and how to adapt them 41
Improving the overall health of the foot and ankle 47
2. The Knee 53
The anatomy of the knee joint 53
Common knee injuries and conditions 64
Key yoga asanas and how to adapt them 70
Improving the overall health of the knee joint 73
3. The Hip 76
The anatomy of the hip joint 76
Common hip injuries and conditions 87
Key yoga asanas and how to adapt them 93
Improving the overall health of the hip joint 95
4. The Pelvis 103
The anatomy of the pelvis 103
Common pelvic injuries and conditions 112
Key yoga asanas and how to adapt them 115
Improving the overall health of the pelvis 118
PART 2: THE SPINE AND TRUNK
5. The Vertebral Column 124
An overview of spinal anatomy 124
6. The Lumbar Spine 133
The anatomy of the lumbar spine 133
Common lumbar spine injuries and conditions 137
Key yoga asanas and how to adapt them 147
Improving the overall health of the lumbar spine 152
7. The Thoracic Spine 158
The anatomy of the thoracic spine 158
Common thoracic spine conditions 164
Key yoga asanas and how to adapt them 167
Improving the overall health of the thoracic spine 169
8. The Cervical Spine 175
The anatomy of the cervical spine 175
Common cervical spine injuries and conditions 180
Key yoga asanas and how to adapt them 185
Improving the overall health of the cervical spine 188
PART 3: THE UPPER LIMB
9. The Shoulder 194
The anatomy of the shoulder girdle 195
The anatomy of the shoulder joint 201
Common shoulder injuries and conditions 205
Key yoga asanas and how to adapt them 209
Improving the overall health of the shoulder 212
10. The Elbow, Wrist and Hand 217
The anatomy of the elbow and forearm 217
The anatomy of the wrist 221
The anatomy of the hand 223
Common elbow, wrist and hand injuries and conditions 225
Key yoga asanas and how to adapt them 228
Improving the overall health of the elbow, wrist and hand 230
PART 4: COMMON MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) 234
Diabetes mellitus 235
Asthma 236
Pregnancy 237
Osteoporosis 237
Hypermobility 238
Depression and anxiety 240
Glossary of Anatomical Terms 242
References 244
Further Reading and Resources 259
Subject Index 260
Author index 269
