Yoga with long head biceps tenosynovitis

Your Asana Practice
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Hello,

I’m looking for expert advice on which asanas to avoid and which ones to focus on when practicing yoga with a long head biceps tenosynovitis?

I typically practice Vinyasa Yoga at an Intermediate level, but I have not practiced in a while given the shoulder/arm injury.
I have now been given the green light to start exercising, and I’m desperate to get back to my exercise routine, however, I want to be careful and mindful to avoid aggravating the area, as the shoulder/arm is still healing and in a bit of pain.

I have been advised by my doctor to focus on function, mobility and strengthening the traps.
She said yoga and pilates are both good for it, but I just want to understand what specifically I should/shouldn’t focus on.

P.S. I also have tendinitis in the fingers of the same arm, but should not be as bothersome for yoga practice.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated it!

Thanks!
Cathy

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Hi Cathy,

I am happy to hear you are healing and are slowly making your way back to activities. Being patient with and injury is the best approach so you continue to move forward, rather than backwards in your healing.

I am not super familiar with this injury, but after looking into the areas impacted I would thing that things that engage the bicep in a significant way should be avoided for a while. So do plank instead of chaturanga, and sometimes skip downward dog and just do table top pose or child’s pose.

Pain free range of motion is what you are looking for and taking it step by step guided by sensations.

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