Yoga is often celebrated for its ability to enhance strength, improve posture, and lower the likelihood of chronic illnesses. However, a notable warning has emerged from the medical community regarding certain yoga poses that may increase the risk of strokes — serious medical events that occur when blood flow to the brain is disrupted.
Dr. Jeremy M. Liff, a neurologist with multiple board certifications and an esteemed member of the Society of Neurointerventional Surgery at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine and Northwell Lenox Hill, shed light on this concerning issue. He explained, “Ironically, certain types of yoga can be helpful in aiding motor recovery following stroke. However, other yoga poses can potentially cause strokes by injuring the arteries that run from the neck to the brain.”
One specific condition that can lead to a stroke is called cervical arterial dissection, marked by a tear in the wall of a neck artery. This injury can allow blood to enter the damaged area, leading to a clot that may travel to the brain and cause a stroke. According to medical professionals, this condition accounts for approximately 1% to 2% of all strokes and can rise to 25% of strokes among young and middle-aged individuals. A 2022 case report detailed the experience of a 63-year-old man who suffered an arterial dissection after practicing yoga, underscoring the dangers associated with specific poses.
Research indicates that spontaneous carotid artery dissection — a form of cervical artery dissection — can occur due to various factors, including hyperextension of the neck during yoga, excessive alcohol consumption, or even activities as seemingly harmless as intense coughing and vomiting. This information was addressed in an April study published in the Annals of Vascular Surgery.
Particularly, yoga poses that require extreme neck extension or place significant weight and pressure on the head may pose serious risks, especially for older individuals or those with existing cervical spine conditions, as highlighted by Dr. Liff.
Here’s a closer look at three yoga moves that have been directly linked to stroke incidents:
1. **Wheel Pose**
In 1973, one of the first case reports documenting stroke risk associated with yoga described a 28-year-old woman who experienced a narrowing of her left vertebral artery and subsequently suffered a stroke after practicing the “wheel” pose. This deep backbend, also known as upward bow or Urdhva Dhanurasana, is intended to open the chest, shoulders, and hips while simultaneously strengthening the arms, legs, spine, and core.
2. **Fish Pose**
Known in Sanskrit as Matsyasana, the “fish” pose involves a reclining back-bending motion. Physical therapist Susan Eaton recalled an advanced version of this pose that inadvertently increased the weight on her neck. She remarked, “It’s a hyperextended neck pose that as a physical therapist I later questioned. I had done this pose before, but this time I was uneasy, as though I knew I might be pushing myself to the edge.” Just four days later, she suffered from a stroke due to a torn left carotid artery.
3. **Hollowback Handstand**
Yoga influencer Rebecca Leigh recounted her experience with the challenging hollowback handstand, describing an intense neck extension that led to blurred vision. She noted, “This pose requires you to extend your neck, drop your hips back and arch your lower spine all while upside down in a handstand.” Two days later, she found herself in the emergency room with concerning symptoms including a drooping right eye and uneven pupils. Following medical evaluation, she received the shocking diagnosis of a stroke resulting from a torn right carotid artery. “The doctor on staff said, ‘Well, you, my dear, had a stroke,’” Leigh recalled.
The takeaway from these experiences is clear: consulting a medical professional before beginning any new exercise routine is crucial, especially for individuals with pre-existing health issues.
This year alone, over 795,000 people in the United States are expected to experience a stroke, a condition that can severely impact balance, vision, and speech, and can lead to facial drooping or numbness. Practicing yoga safely is paramount, and understanding the potential risks associated with certain poses can be vital for health and well-being.
