Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Why Forcing Difficult Yoga Poses Can Cause Serious Injuries
Yoga can help the body and mind, but difficult poses can also cause injuries.
People should not force their bodies into painful positions.
Headstands may put heavy pressure on the neck, shoulders, or hands.
Shoulder stands can place uncomfortable pressure on the neck bones.
Sudden backbends can twist the spine.
People with long-lasting back pain should avoid backbends unless an experienced teacher is supervising.
Older adults may face a greater risk of injury.
Serious injuries, such as a torn knee meniscus, can also be expensive to treat.
About 29,590 yoga-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency departments from 2001 to 2014.
The injury rate rose from 9.5 to 17 per 100,000 participants during that period.
Older adults had a higher injury rate of 57.9 per 100,000 participants.
Sprains and strains were the most common injuries, with 46.6% affecting the trunk.
Headstands, shoulder stands, and abrupt backbends can strain the neck, spine, shoulders, or hands.
- Who
- Yoga practitioners, particularly older adults and people attempting advanced poses.
- What
- The article warns that forcing difficult yoga poses can cause injuries and long-term joint damage.
- When
- From 2001 to 2014, U.S. yoga-related injury rates increased; the advice applies to current practice.
- Where
- The injury statistics come from the United States, while treatment costs are cited for India.
- Why
- To encourage practitioners to respect physical limits and reduce the risk of painful or expensive injuries.
- U.S. injuries
- Approximately 29,590 yoga-related injuries were treated in emergency departments from 2001 to 2014.
- Overall injury-rate change
- The rate increased from 9.5 to 17 injuries per 100,000 participants.
- Older-adult injury rate
- Older adults experienced 57.9 injuries per 100,000 participants.
- Most common injuries
- Sprains and strains were the most frequently reported injuries.
- Trunk injuries
- The trunk accounted for 46.6% of reported injuries.
- Meniscus-repair cost in India
- A standard arthroscopic repair costs Rs 80,000 to Rs 1,50,000; complex cases can reach Rs 3,50,000.