What’s This Research About?

How does yoga affect bone mineral density? We might assume because we are using body weight in yoga poses that it increases bone mineral density. Can we recommend yoga to people with osteoporosis and or osteopenia? Based on a common sense assumption that yoga poses use bodyweight and therefore increases BMD? No. An assumption, no matter how logical, isn’t reliable. We need to test that
assumption with research and data. It’s the right and credible thing to do.

Why does this matter for yoga teachers? Because the number of people affected by osteoporosis is large and is expected to grow. It’s likely that we will work with people who have or will have osteoporosis. Having safe options to counter loss of bone mass is vital for helping those populations. This study asks, can yoga help them and is it a safe and affordable alternative?

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