Yoga and Injuries

Yoga can do many things for you when it is done properly. It can give you a more flexible, stronger body. It improves the mind giving you sharper concentration and more mental focus. When yoga is done improperly, though, it can cause a whole host of injuries ranging from aching joints to permanent disability.

The first thing that you need to know to avoid injury is to recognize your limitations. It is better to do a partial pose and have perfect alignment than to push yourself into a full pose and suffer an injury because of poor alignment. Yoga can be a very physically challenging activity so always take precautions to prevent injury.

There are three main reasons why injuries can occur because of yoga. The first is that someone attempts a pose they are not yet flexible or strong enough for. The second is that the practitioner does not do the pose properly. Another reason is that the practitioner already has an existing physical limitation or disability and they push themselves too far and aggravate that injury. Always tell your instructor if you have physical limitations so that they can help you modify poses and avoid further injury.
Yoga injuries can either be immediate or be the result of long term small trauma to a part of the body. The chronic problems are caused by long term poor technique and repetition.

Neck injuries are often caused by poses such as the plow, shoulder stand and headstand. Done wrong, these poses put pressure on the neck and should only be tried by beginners under close supervision. Twists, backward bends and forward bends can damage your back. Follow your instructor carefully and bend your knees to take pressure off of your back.

Wrist injuries can be avoided by knowing your limitations before you take a class. If you have a conditions such as carpal tunnel then do not do poses that require you to put a great deal of weight on your wrists. You have to protect your knees as well. Do not force your knees into positions because without enough hip-joint flexibility you can tear the cartilage or ligaments in your knees.

Yoga is like any other form of physical activity; it must be done properly to avoid injury. When you are a beginner it is advisable to utilize the close supervision of teachers. When you have questions about the safety of a pose for you, ask your doctor. Yoga can be done without injury if you take the proper precautions.