Is it ok for yoga to hurt if working on an injury?

Let's see where to begin.

1. only muscles should be stretched. Tendons should not.

2. Because the foot is in plantar flexion in Virasana (Hero's pose) the tendon in the back of the ankle (Achilles) is shortened not lengthened. Therefore it is incredibly difficult to stretch that tendon in that pose.

3. Have your asana teacher modify Virasana until there's no pain in the tendon.

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Gordon Kaplan
President, Team Yoga
http://www.teamyoga.com/
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Certified Purna Yoga Teacher (CPYT)
RYT-500, ERYT-200, IAYT,
M.S. Kinesiology, Indiana University

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