Few days ago I had my wisdom tooth removed. My dentist scared me that I should avoid physical activity first day or two because clot may jump out. So after 2 days I started to do some asanas trying not to put any tension on this part of mouth. I was amazed how much tension/work actually was happening in my jaw and cheek muscles doing asanas. What should we do with those muscles doing asanas? Relax them? Or use them in some way? I noticed that I especially engage those muscles twisting my head on sides - but not sure if it helps or is just unnecessary tension.
Good question! Poor you…
all surgeries result in scar tissue to develop and hence a tension. It is important to stretch it. Good for you that you noticed. It was a very invasive procedure. The part of the body will be tense for a while. After a week or so, you mas starts to stretch it. Nack rotations stretch it well as well as jaw movements.
Interesting… only a week citymonk? I know after major surgery we should wait up to 6 weeks before stretching and strengthening… Is the less time because its in the mouth? and the mouth heals so much faster than the rest of the body? or do you have another reason?
Oh, but I mean jaw tension in normal practice, not just during recovery. Its 6 days after removal and it seems its healed in large extent. I don’t feel anything particular.
I meant something like that: if you take your intuition in asanas practice and apply it to jaw and cheek muscles, with what knowledge would you end up? What would be their part in asansas? How should we incorporate those muscles into our practice?
The practice of asana is the practice of using something while not using something else. If you are doing the jaw series then the jaw is used. If you are doing poses in which the jaw is not use (most, as far as I’m concerned) the muscles at the back of the jaw are kept soft and relaxed.
[QUOTE=AumshantiAum;40223]Interesting… only a week citymonk? I know after major surgery we should wait up to 6 weeks before stretching and strengthening… Is the less time because its in the mouth? and the mouth heals so much faster than the rest of the body? or do you have another reason?[/QUOTE]
I have personal experience - 5 extracted teeth:)
The cut in the gum is very small and no major motor muscles attached to the gum, and they do not cut the muscle.
In case with breast cancer surgery for example, your are right it is about 6 weeks, since pecs major and other motor muscles are involved sometimes.
[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;40332]The practice of asana is the practice of using something while not using something else. If you are doing the jaw series then the jaw is used. If you are doing poses in which the jaw is not use (most, as far as I’m concerned) the muscles at the back of the jaw are kept soft and relaxed.[/QUOTE]
Thats what I suspected. Because of this tooth removal I noticed that there is some involuntary tension that is masked by all sensations from the rest of the body. I guess I will need to put some attention to those muscles to keep them relaxed.