3 dangerous yoga poses that can cause stroke

Yoga has long been considered a discipline that helps increase muscle strength, improve posture, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, neurologist Jeremy M. Liff, a senior fellow of the Society for Interventional Neurosurgery and working at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital (USA), says that some yoga poses may increase the risk of stroke by disrupting blood flow to the brain.

According to him, while yoga can aid in motor recovery after a stroke, some poses can damage the carotid artery, the blood vessel system running from the neck to the brain, potentially leading to dangerous complications.

A carotid artery rupture occurs when the inner lining of the artery wall in the neck is damaged, causing blood to leak in and form a blood clot. When this blood clot travels to the brain, it can cause a blockage and lead to a stroke.

Although this condition accounts for only 1-2% of all strokes, it is the cause of up to 25% of cases in young and middle-aged adults. A 2022 report documented the case of a 63-year-old man who suffered a ruptured artery after a yoga session.

Additionally, the April issue of Annals of Vascular Surgery also reported numerous cases of spontaneous carotid artery rupture due to "overstretching the neck during yoga, drinking alcohol, forceful coughing or vomiting, or after spinal adjustments."

Dr. Liff noted that yoga poses that cause excessive stretching of the neck or put weight on the head are dangerous, especially for older adults or those with cervical spine conditions.

Wheel Pose

The Wheel Pose, also known as Upward Bow or Urdhva Dhanurasana, helps to open up the chest, shoulders, and hips and strengthen the arms, legs, and spine. However, a 1973 medical report documented a 28-year-old woman who suffered spinal artery stenosis and a stroke after performing this pose.

Because it requires deep back bending and forceful neck tilting, the wheel pose can increase pressure on the blood vessels in the neck if performed incorrectly or without proper warm-up.

Fish Pose

The Fish Pose (Matsyasana) is a supine pose where the back is bent to open the chest and stretch the neck. Physical therapist Susan Eaton suffered a serious neck injury after performing an advanced variation of this pose, where the head and neck were subjected to significant pressure.

She shared that the feeling of "excessive neck extension" worried her, and a few days later, Eaton suffered a stroke due to a ruptured left carotid artery. Her case is considered by experts to be a prime example of the risks of overstretching the neck.

Hollowback handstand

The Hollowback handstand is an advanced variation that requires the practitioner to extend their neck and lower their hips backward while in an inverted handstand position.

Renowned yoga practitioner Rebecca Leigh once shared that while performing this pose, she suddenly experienced blurred vision. Two days later, she developed drooping eyelids and unequal pupils, requiring hospitalization. Tests revealed Leigh had a ruptured right carotid artery, leading to a stroke.

"I was shocked when the doctor told me I had just had a stroke. I was healthy, ate a balanced diet, didn't smoke, and had been an athlete my whole life," she recounted.