Weakness

Lack of strength. It can have many causes including infectious disease-related conditions such as myaesthenia gravis, autoimmune conditions such as lupus erythematosis, nutritional conditions such as such as combined systems degeneration (low vitamin B12), and anorexia nervosa, inherited conditions e.g., nemaline myopathy, neurological conditions e.g., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and just plain disuse atrophy. Strengthening requires reduction in the influence of the above causes, and usually begins with the ancient reticulospinal tract of nerves, not muscle fibres themselves. The enlivening and augmentation of these nerve bundles occurs before any visible changes in musculature.(1). Yoga poses, with their emphasis on mindful movement, are excellent candidates for daily exercise that strengthening requires. The paradox is that exactly those poses that build strength require it to perform them well. The solution is pacing: start a pose like Utkatasana (the strong pose) against a wall, and possibly with a chair. 1. Isabel S Glover and Stuart N Baker. Cortical, corticospinal and reticulospinal contributions to strength training. Journal of Neuroscience 29 June 2020, JN-RM-1923-19; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1923-19.2020