Language, Fear, & Science in the Yoga Studio

June 28, 2022 Jenni Rawlings

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Yoga teacher Jenni Rawlings and Exercise Science professor Travis Pollen are joined by Matthew Huy, MSc to discuss his recent dissertation: “Language, Fear, and Science in the Yoga Studio”. Matthew is a longtime yoga teacher and an anatomy and physiology teacher in yoga teacher trainings worldwide. He also holds a master’s degree in Exercise Science and is the co-author of the book The Physiology of Yoga, published by Human Kinetics in June 2022.

Points of discussion include:

How can the yoga world improve its scientific literacy?
What type of content has historically been included in yoga anatomy/physiology modules of yoga teacher training programs?
The fact that nearly all popular yoga anatomy books do not include scientific references
What is the hierarchy or pyramid of scientific evidence?
The impact that the infamous New York Times article How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body by William Broad had on societal perceptions of yoga
What is a nocebo and how is it different from a placebo?
Do forward folds in yoga cause “yoga butt” (proximal hamstring tendinopathy)?
Is placing the foot on the knee in tree pose (vrksasana) injurious?
If we flex and extend our spine repeatedly, can it snap like a credit card?
The research-based connection between psychological beliefs and pain
The potential that yoga teachers have to influence students’ beliefs via the language they use when teaching
Should pain be avoided during exercise?
…And much more!