KEY POINTS:
Yoga - that system of gentle stretches and meditations - was cited in 843 injury claims received by the Accident Compensation Corporation in the last financial year.
It is a minute part of the 422,000 sports injuries reported that year, but illustrates the potential for injury if any activity is not done with care.
Yoga instructor Simone Bonny, from Kelly Street Studio in Mt Eden, says injuries from yoga can include overstretched muscles, torn ligaments, joint wear-and-tear, and neck and back injuries. Most would be attributable to people stretching beyond their limits.
"There certainly are some very demanding styles of yoga being taught where there may be a risk of people being pushed into quite exaggerated postures too soon."
To her knowledge, she has never had a student injured in her 14 years teaching yoga, as she factors in the various limitations of her students.
"But it's difficult in a class where you've got 30 or 40 people, too. Also, a lot of people do push themselves. And that can't really be on the teacher's shoulders that that's happened. You can always caution people, but you may get the odd person who really does go beyond their limit."
Angelica Petersen, of Agape Yoga, says yoga should be adapted to each individual, taking into account their general health and previous injuries.
- Mike Houlahan
