Tallmadge, Ohio – January 27, 2012 – NZ Manufacturing, Inc., a leader in high-quality resistance training and physical rehabilitation tools, recommends the use of resistance bands in yoga injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Yoga is quickly becoming the number one form of relaxation and exercise in the U.S. However, doctors are also reporting a surge in yoga-related injuries. With hard statistics being scarce, the most recent estimate comes from the U.S. Product Safety Commission. It lists 4,450 reported yoga injuries in 2006, up from 3,760 in 2004. Occurring most commonly in people over the age of 35, the injuries vary from an overstretched neck to shoulders, knees, wrists and lower back. Many injuries result from doing yoga poses incorrectly, or by not performing some stretching exercises before the yoga session begins.

Like any physical activity or exercise, yoga can challenge and strain muscles and joints during difficult or held positions. Warm-up exercises are essential to stretch and loosen up the body beforehand. Resistance bands, like those from NZ Manufacturing, can assist in physically preparing the body for a variety of yoga poses.

For those that do incur yoga injuries, resistance bands also can be used to help rehabilitate the body. Bands are routinely used to rehabilitate injuries by concentrating on the isolation of a particular movement and strength exercise. Available in a variety of strengths, the bands allow patients to progress incrementally and in a controlled manner. They enable users to strengthen often smaller, neglected muscle groups to prevent further injury while the post-injured muscle is being repaired and re-strengthened.

Resistance band exercises are ideal for both public and home yoga, Pilates and traditional programs, since they can be easily incorporated into existing formats. Because resistance tubing is so compact and lightweight, it can be used while traveling and is easy to store anywhere.

The full line of resistance exercise tools from NZ Manufacturing includes the MediCordz® Upper Body and Back Kit, which stabilizes the back with muscle exercises to improve strength and flexibility. It also features the MediCordz Bungie Rehab Kit, used for upper and lower body rehabilitation and conditioning, and the MediCordz Headset Kit, used to strengthen neck muscles for increased range of motion. All are easy to use, made of high-quality materials and extremely versatile for yoga, as well as general fitness.

For more information on NZ Manufacturing (based in Tallmadge, Ohio) and its product lines, please call 1-800-886-6621 or email info@nzmfg.com.