How Safe From the Dangers of Yoga?

If you’ve been practicing yoga – or have been thinking about it, you might have been thinking about what a wonderful, gentle form of exercise it is. Maybe your doctor told you it was a good way to start getting into shape. Or your roommate talked about how much it improved her stress level.

But if you’re looking at yoga from only that perspective, there’s information you’re just not considering.  Are you safe from the dangers inherent in yoga?  

Check this list and see which ones you might need to watch out for.

1. Perfectionism
When you’re working on inner peace and relaxation in yoga, it can seem like a kind of quest for perfection. And as you seek perfection in the “yoga part” of your life, it can start to seep out into other areas of your life as well. 

Don’t get me wrong – improvement is always a good thing. But if you start getting obsessed with the idea of perfection to the point where it prevents you from enjoying the realities and imperfections of life, well, that’s a danger.

2. Yoga clothes
Just say no to Spandex and wardrobe malfunctions.  Now I know you’d never go there, but it can be such a distraction when the person on the mat next to you does.  Or if the combination of sweat and the use of natural deodorants combines to cause an issue with body odor. And so forth. Or maybe it’s your own sweat or wardrobe malfunction that has you embarrassed and afraid.

Incidentally, this is where healthy detachment can be helpful. Rather than getting caught up in which part popped out of a yoga top where and was visible by whom, or who smells bad today, etc., you can just mentally take a step back and acknowledge the current reality and acknowledge when your irritation about it passes.

3. Getting hurt
I know…yoga is supposed to be gentle and healing. Some docs even prescribe it as part of a physical therapy plan.

But if you’re practicing yoga on your own (not in a class setting) where there’s no one to make sure you’re doing your poses correctly, it’s absolutely possible that you’ll hurt yourself. 

Make sure to have your instructor check your poses as well to make sure you’re doing them correctly and not setting yourself up for a back injury.

4. Fear of failure
This unique fear can be the one that blocks your progress more solidly than any other fear, if you can believe it. If you’re afraid of doing something wrong, or of looking dumb or of being out of tune as you chanted the Om, etc., you’re likely to start playing safe when practicing yoga. 

You might decide not to stretch yourself. You might worry about learning something new and just stop trying. And sometimes this fear can affect you in other areas of your life.

Yoga is often associated with promoting strength and flexibility, therapeutic value, and overall personal development. 

This activity is indeed very beneficial. It can be done in a class with other practitioners or therapist. It is also easy enough to be performed by people of all ages. 

However, Yoga can do much more harm than good if not done properly. You can get muscle strain and even injuries in some parts of your body. 

Here is a list of guidelines to keep in mind to stay injury-free while practicing Yoga:

• Find a reputable Yoga teacher

It is ideal to practice Yoga under the supervision   ofa certified Yoga instructor who can see if you are doing the Yoga Poses correctly and help you when necessary. You also need to tell your instructor if you are pregnant or if you have had any injuries, surgery, or special needs. He or she will be able to modify the poses or suggest other exercises that will meet your needs. Ask your doctor if you can practice Yoga.

• Practicing Yoga is not a competition.
  If you are practicing Yoga with other people, there is no point in comparing your performance to theirs. Should you get left behind, just do your own thing at your own pace and do not force yourself to keep up with them. Besides, there is no hurry when it comes to Yoga. Carry out each pose gently while breathing slowly and evenly. Start with the basic poses and if your body is up for it, move on to difficult ones.


• Stay within your limits.
  Prevent injuries by knowing what you can and cannot do. Your Yoga instructor can assist you in determining the poses suitable for your ability level. If you feel something painful, stop doing the pose.


• Do some Warm-up exercises before a Yoga session.
  Relax your muscles and promote blood circulation prior to a Yoga session by doing some Warm-up exercises. Stretching is a good way to improve flexibility of the muscles.


• Wear loose clothing that will make you comfortable.
  Being comfortable with what you are wearing can make Yoga a lot more enjoyable to do. This activity requires a wide range of motion so avoid wearing clothes which can restrict your movement.