Numbness in the left hand

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi everyone : See if any one can help me on this.

I have been doing halasana for quite some time without any props. Recently I started doing shoulder stand for few days. I do not know this or some thing I did in the gym while doing military press(shoulder exercise) my left hand started feeling numb when it is in certain positions.

As some one quoted as saying, yoga cannot cure problems caused by wrong practise of yoga, but still want to ask…

What is remedial poses…What you think might have caused it …

Thank you!

#2

The very first thing to do is find out the cause of the problem!

Shoulderstand and plow without props may very easily cause damage to your neck/spine and the nerves within. This could be very serious, please go and see a doctor or physio ASAP.
Press ups incorrectly performed may also cause injury.

It is best to go and see a doctor or physio before continuing with exercise or yoga asana.

Once you know what the damage is then and ONLY then can a teacher give you advice on how to improve the condition.

When doing asana please do so with a properly qualified teacher and do not do shoulderstand or plow without proper guidance from a teacher and with props.

#3

The requisite question for me would be whether you are continuing to do Halasana and Sarvangasana without appropriate props. If the answer is “yes” then what are we to do?

#4

Inner Athlete : Please guide me how to use props. Thanks!

#5

Dear Layman,

Please do NOT continue doing shoulderstand until you have found the cause of the numbness in your hand.
If it is caused by a neck problem you should not be doing shoulderstand at all.

Also please do shoulderstand with a properly qualified teacher who can show you how to use the props correctly and be ale to asses exactly how much propping is required.

Without seeing your flexibility, strength and posture it is not possible to give a good enough/safe enough guide.

PLEASE go to a health care professional and find out why you have the numbness…it could be a neck problem or a shoulder problem.

Advice on how to mange the problem and to decide if shoulderstand is appropriate can only be given once the cause is established.

#6

Please see paragraph two above.

Prop work and posture alignment is best conveyed in person, not over the internet.

#7

Thanks folks.

I wanted to continue doing halasana after some time. If you can give some links how to use props when doing halasana will be useful.

I will follow that only after consulting a doctor.

#8

Let us know what the doctor says.

Shoulderstand and plow are best done with a properly qualified teacher. Without actually seeing you and observing your posture/movement it is not ideal/safe to give advice on these postures as the amount of propping used under the shoulders/upper back varies from person to person.

Once you know what is causing the numbness then go to a properly qualified teacher, at least for a while until you learn enough to practice safely and effectively at home.

#9

I stopped shoulderstand/plough and numbness is going away.

Can you suggest any other asanasas that can give the same benefits.
These two poses above all created a good aura around me.

#10

Setu Bandha.

#11

this one Gordon ?

Thanks again!

#12

Yes as a similar but less effective substitute for Sarvangasana.

#13

what kind of numbness are you refering to? I find that during setu bandha sarvangasana i experience a building sensation of pins and needles in both my hands clasped under my body. I always thought that it felt kind of nice, but recently began to worry if it was a sign I was doing damage.Is this the kind of numbness you mean, or like a complete lack of sensation?