What Are The Most Common Yoga Injuries And How To Avoid Them?

Starting a yoga journey is a great experience. For beginners, it is going to be a roller-coaster ride, at the very beginning. If you get the right guidance, then things can be really great. However, many enthusiasts have started to experiment, by seeing videos online. It can be really hazardous. Choose the yoga school in Kerala, if you want the best journey to start through trained hands. 

According to recent statistics, more than 29,590 yoga-related injuries occurred between 2001 to 2014. So, you can very well imagine how far it could have reached by now. However, you do not need to worry at all. The best yoga institutions in Kerala are here to help you. Lalitha Yoga Academy lists out the top injuries that one may suffer, due to irresponsible yoga practice. 

Common Yoga Injuries – According To The Yoga School In Kerala

• Strains And Sprains 

This is one of the first injuries which occur to irresponsible yoga practitioners. This is so common that you will hear the same often. When beginners push their bodies to the maximum limit, without understanding the repercussions, such injuries occur. By seeing someone, doing an advanced asana, you may be tempted to do the same. However, it can leave you injured. So, be aware. Choose the 200 Hour yoga teacher training in Kerala, if you want to know how to approach yoga as a beginner. 

So, how do you think everybody can avoid such injuries? Let us find out here. 

• You should always warm up properly, before attempting any yoga pose at all. 
• You should pay attention to the body’s pain signals.
• Maintain alignments during each pose. This differs from one person to another. 
• You must use props and straps for support. There is no shame in using these. 
• Ask your teachers to modify yoga poses for you, if you find some a tad difficult. 
• Wrist Injuries 

This is also another very common injury that can occur to a beginner, who does not know how to approach yoga. When you exert excess pressure on the wrists, while performing asanas like Downward Dog pose, or Plank, such wrist injuries can occur. You may be misaligned as well. If left untreated, then you could have the injury for a lifetime. This can disrupt yoga practice and keep you off the mat. 

Let us find out how to avoid such injuries. 

• You should do ample wrist exercises, before distributing weight through them. 
• Maintain proper hand and wrist alignment as well, while doing weight bearing poses. 
• You must also use wedges or blocks to distribute the weight on your hands and wrists. Join the yoga teacher training in Kerala, to get the best training, so as to avoid such injuries. 
• Lower Back Pain 

This is another common yoga injury, which you can face. When your posture is not proper, it can lead to lower back pain. In backbends, if you overstrain the back, such injuries may occur. Your spine gets overstretched and can lead to lifelong disability. If your core muscles are weak, the same again happens. You will suffer from limited range of motion. 

But, if you keep a few things in mind, you can avoid such injuries. 

• Focus on maintaining correct alignments, during the back bending process. 
• You should do core-strengthening exercises as well. 
• Use blocks and bolsters, whenever necessary. 
• You must not rush through challenging poses. 
• Neck Injuries

Yes, you got it right. The neck, which is an important part of our body, is highly susceptible to injuries, if you engage in the wrong yoga practice. When the alignment is not proper, then the neck will undergo stress.

However, you can keep the below things in mind, so as to avoid any such injuries. 

• Maintain correct neck alignment.
• Use props like blankets and bolsters, while exerting pressure on the neck. 
• Avoid intricate movements, when you are just starting out. 
• Hamstring Issues

This group of muscles are utilised for running, jogging, walking, and jumping. However, you may get injured, if you do forward bends without proper prep. If the alignment is bad, you will suffer hamstring injuries. If you get into deep forward bends, without proper alignment and warm ups, your hamstrings can get into trouble. 

Here are a few things, which you can keep in mind, to avoid injuries. 

• Stretch the body properly, and warm up your muscles, so that you can avoid hurting your hamstrings.
• Maintain proper alignment in forward bending poses. 
• When you engage in stretching hamstrings, take it easy. 
• You can also use straps, when you are doing hamstring stretches. 

Join the yoga teacher training in Kerala, to understand these intricacies.

• Shoulder Injuries

In weight bearing asanas, the shoulders play a very important role. However, the very part of your body that supports you can also get injured. 

• In weight bearing asanas, maintain proper shoulder alignment.
• Avoid challenging poses, and build strength naturally. 
• Do some shoulder strengthening exercises. 
• Knee Injuries 

The knees bear the entire body weight, and so, if you place them in the wrong manner, they may get injured. They are susceptible to swelling, soreness, as well as inflammation.

Do these to avoid injuries.

• Maintain proper knee alignment and do not lock them too much.
• Use props for support.
• Always allow a slight bend in your knees, to reduce strain on the joints.

If you join a renowned yoga school in Kerala, you will get correct knowledge on the above, along with guidance. 

Conclusion 

So, now you know about the most common injuries caused when you do yoga, without knowledge. Yoga is a self-discovery journey, in which you get to know your hidden qualities. It is not to be rushed into. Pay attention to your feelings, without trying to copy others. The yoga journey is a personal one, so you should make it as unique as possible. The yoga teacher training in Kerala will help you to gain real yogic knowledge, along with a certification from Yoga Alliance. So, you know that your body and mind is in safe hands.