The number of Americans doing yoga has grown from an estimated 4 million in 2001 to 20 million in 2011.
But is it for everyone? For some, according to Glen Black who studied in Pune, India, at the institute founded by B. K. S. Iyengar, yoga is likely to cause harm.

Don’t get me wrong, yoga can be incredibly healing and rejuvenating. It can lower blood pressure, help with depression and instill calmness in this crazy, busy world. But some might take it too far and not listen to their bodies.

The concern is in the extreme twisting motions and forceful hyperextension positions, especially of the head and neck. In rare cases, it can cause blood clots, swelling and constriction of arteries and even stroke. This article demonstrates that some people have been injured while doing yoga, even with supervision.

The key message is that “Awareness” is much more important than rushing through a series of poses.

How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body – NYTimes.com: “”

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