Yoga stretches the mind, body and a bit more...

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Story Published: Oct 23, 2007 at 4:55 PM PST

By Meghan Kalkstein

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Eugene - Thousands more people are twisting their bodies into the spiritual movements of yoga, and that's putting a strain on doctors.

More folks like baby boomers are practicing yoga, which means there are more classes, but officials say not as many certified teachers. And that's putting thousands more people into the doctor's office.

Intermediate yoga at Tamarack Wellness center reaches new heights, with poses that stretch the body from the tips of the toes to the fingers. And even classes where babies are involved.

"It's really relaxing. Stretching is really important, I don't think I do enough of that. So yoga brings me to stretching so I don't hopefully get injured," says Rechel Chester a yoga student.

But doctors report thousands of people practicing yoga are contorting themselves into painful situations. "I've injured myself doing some forms of yoga, like trying to do a somersault and I just did it the wrong way," says Jenny Soghor a yoga student.

Others are getting injured simply because they're moving too fast. "There's bound to be more reported cases of injuries, but also people are just coming into it and expecting to jump into an intermediate or advanced class and their really not prepared," says Dave Curtis, the Yoga Director at Tamarack Wellness Center.

Which is why Judith Bender at the Back Care Center has seen more patients. "Primarily the yoga injuries I've seen have been overuse type injuries where someone who isn't really conditioned tried a yoga class and overdoes it," says Judith Bender, a physical therapist.

And with yoga, folks say it's important to listen to your mind and your body. "Know your limitations and know what you can do be careful just with anything," says Soghor.

Reportedly 13,000 people across the country have been treated for yoga related injuries over the last three years. Officials say it's important to make sure you have a certified yoga instructor, also, doctors say you should be aware of any pre-existing conditions that could easily be aggravated through yoga.

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