THE VALUE OF COMPRESSION IN YOGA
Yoga Connections
Compression has long been used in the U.S. to bring down the swelling of our extremities. The familiar ACE™ Bandage is a ubiquitous First Aid Kit essential. Runners, cyclists and the like have used compression during and after activity. As a ballet dancer, I always wore compression tights on my legs, so felt my need to have compression leggings simply a habit. However, the medical field and Iyengar Yoga have taught me there's more value to compression than I knew.
Regular usage of compression leggings or tights help your body deal with blood flow. It can improve recovery time after extensive training. I never used regular tights or leggings, they have to have a compression component like with products like Spanx®. Some of the women in my family have been diagnosed with circulation issues and doctors recommend compression. I've not been diagnosed per se but bet I probably have the same issue. My legs have always tended to swell. I've just spend most of my life in compression gear, so never experienced any ill effects of the issue like my sisters.
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While compression leggings won't help you pull your legs and kneecaps up, they do provide a sensation of what we mean by drawing the muscles to the bone.
Iyengar Yoga uses compression in a slightly different way through the Iyengar head wrap. I get a similar psychological effect from my leggings as the head wrap used in classes at the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune. The head wrap quiets mental activity and is said to equalizes internal and external pressure on the brain. When you experience the head wrap you feel more contained. It's recommended during asana practice in some therapeutic sequences and during the practice of pranayama. It also helps us understand the fifth limb of yoga pratyahara or sense withdrawal.
The compression of bandages, tights or leggings, as well as the gentle compression of the Iyengar head wrap have beneficial physical, mental and emotional effects. Give them a try and let us know your experience.