While yoga is generally safe, injuries happen. Understanding prevention and proper modification protects your practice.

Common Injuries

Wrist strain from plank and inversions. Lower back injury from deep forward folds. Knee issues in deep lunges. Shoulder problems from chaturanga. These typically result from poor alignment or pushing too deeply.

Prevention Fundamentals

Warm up before deeper practice. Never force a pose. Use props liberally. Communicate pain to your teacher. Stop when you feel sharp pain.

Alignment Matters

Joints need support - muscles should protect them. In standing poses, engage legs to protect knees. In forward folds, hinge from hips, not rounding spine.

When to Modify

Injuries require adaptation. Use blocks to reduce depth. Skip problematic poses entirely. What you can't do today may become possible later.

Recovery Approach

Rest is essential - more yoga isn't always the answer. Gentle movement promotes healing. Sometimes professional help - physical therapy - accelerates recovery.

Long-term Perspective

Yoga serves you for decades, not just weeks. Pushing too hard shortcuts the journey. Sustainable practice keeps you practicing for life.