Yoga for Osteoporosis - Dr. Fishman's yoga program

[Pat58]

Some years prior in VF history, in osteo discussions, VF'er SharonNYC wrote about being a participant in Dr. Loren Fishman's study on yoga for osteoporosis. Sharon and other participants in the study achieved increased bone mass from following the prescribed yoga program every day. At that time you could only obtain the DVD if you were in the study.

I watched the Beach Body Three Week Yoga Retreat infomercial recently and saw Dr. Fishman endorsing it. This got me wondering if the Beach Body program is any way similar to the osteoporosis study DVD.

Long story short, I found the practice via Dr. Fishman's website, sciatica.org, streaming on Youtube.

Dr. Fishman on osteoporisis: http://sciatica.org/?page_id=70

Practice on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8SjystaH-E&t=192s

[Pat58]

By the way, has anyone tried the Three Week Yoga Retreat? I'm sure there was a thread a few months ago, but I can't find it. If the poses and the pace are similar to Dr. Fishman's routine I might get it.

[Vintage VFer]

I know of a VFer who did NOT have bone mass increases from doing Dr. Fishman's program. I'm not sure yoga is enough for some folks. I'd say it would be a good supplement to a strength program. (Yeah, yeah, I know I'll get crap for saying that.)

I rarely do yoga anymore unless it happens to be included in something else I'm doing. I had a slight increase in my last DEXA from doing heavy(ish) weights.

[Sue B]

Originally Posted by Vintage VFer

I know of a VFer who did NOT have bone mass increases from doing Dr. Fishman's program. I'm not sure yoga is enough for some folks. I'd say it would be a good supplement to a strength program. (Yeah, yeah, I know I'll get crap for saying that.)

I rarely do yoga anymore unless it happens to be included in something else I'm doing. I had a slight increase in my last DEXA from doing heavy(ish) weights.

I'm kind of puzzled why yoga and pilates keep getting marketed as osteoporosis treatments. They're better than nothing I guess, but usually impact exercises and resistance training are advised for bone building.

[Pat58]

Different things work for different people. I'd never give up weights over yoga, and prefer both on a regular basis.

I remember reading in the Fishman study discussions that it is the holding of the poses that stresses the bones.

Any thoughts on Three Week Yoga? Maybe I should start a separate thread.

[Paine]

Pat, thank you for posting this!

[Vintage VFer]

Originally Posted by Pat58

...
Any thoughts on Three Week Yoga? Maybe I should start a separate thread.

It is really hard to find legit reviews of BB programs. Most of them online are by BB coaches. Probably starting a new thread would be a good idea.

[Karen Beckwith]

Pat - I tried some of them thru Kineticflix but it's been a while. Mostly what I remember was that they were too slow for me. I think I only did the ones with Vytas.

[Dorothy J]

Originally Posted by Pat58

I remember reading in the Fishman study discussions that it is the holding of the poses that stresses the bones.

I looked at the moves in the Fishman study a while back (as well as Yoga for Osteoporosis) and thought, wow, I've been doing moves like that for years with weights (as in the FIRM) and my bone density scores are still in the toilet!

So maybe it is the holding of the poses that builds the bone density for some people...hmmm, something to think about.

[yogapam]

Originally Posted by Pat58

Different things work for different people. I'd never give up weights over yoga, and prefer both on a regular basis.

I remember reading in the Fishman study discussions that it is the holding of the poses that stresses the bones.

Any thoughts on Three Week Yoga? Maybe I should start a separate thread.

Agree, different things work for different people, there are many factors involved including genetics & body build. One thing on its own is not a cure all, but I think yoga can be helpful if you add to a regime that also includes impact exercise, resistance training, & healthy eating.

I haven’t heard of Three Week Yoga, sounds interesting as long as it’s not too vinyasa-y. I see you started a new thread.