the glaucoma is a degenerative disease of the optic nerve that mainly affects people over the age of 45. This pathology is caused by an increase in eye pressure, which will “strain” the nerve and disrupt the sending of information to the brain. As the visual field shrinks, to blindness.
However, a recent study by the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (United States) has just shown that the posture of yoga the “dog upside down” would tend to increase the pressure on the optic nerve, thus worsening the situation of patients with glaucoma.
To achieve this posture, the person must stand on all fours, hands flat on the ground, then slowly raise the buttocks towards the ceiling, straightening the legs and arms. The hands are still flat on the ground, the fingers spread, the heels are raised, the back is not arched and the head is retracted in the direction of the chest.
Uttanasana, Halasana and Viparita Karani
To come to this conclusion, the researchers followed a group of volunteers – some with glaucoma, others healthy. At the start of the experiment, the scientists measured the eye pressure of the participants, then they had to perform the “downward dog” pose for 2 minutes, before a new measurement was taken. Results ? During the yoga exercise, the eye pressure was significantly higher.
In addition to the “downward dog” posture, the researchers also identified 3 other dangerous yoga exercises in glaucoma: the Uttanasana (lean forward, legs straight, folding the chest over the thighs and holding the calves), the Halasana (lying on the back, one brings the feet above the head while stretching the legs) and the Viparita karani (lying on the back, one raises the legs at right angles while leaning against a wall). Good to know !
This work has been published in the specialist journal PlOs One.
