Yoga has a myriad of benefits but like any other physical activity it is not 100% risk-free. After combing through available yoga research to investigate the frequency & severity of adverse events (AEs) related to yoga practice, I found mostly case studies and meta-analysis. Many of the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are small pilot studies which rarely mentioned AEs. When reported, the frequency & severity of yoga AEs were comparable to the active control groups and rarely led to discontinuation.
More rigorous studies with a larger sample size are needed to truly determine both the benefits & risks associated with yoga practice. The current literature indicates yoga is generally a safe intervention. Yoga, like any other physical activity, should be practiced carefully and ideally under the guidance of qualified instructors.
