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Yoga injuries & how to avoid them in Sun Salutations

Yoga injuries & how to avoid them in Sun Salutations

Injuries from yoga are, sadly, relatively common among beginners. Often, the repetitive nature of Sun Salutations combined with an over-enthusiastic practice can cause injury to the wrists, shoulders, back and neck.

Since their introduction to mainstream yoga classes in the 1930s, researchers have delved into the effects of Sun Salutations on the body and mind. 

However, they have also discovered that, although yoga is safer than many other forms of exercise, adverse physical effects were associated with “yoga self-study without supervision”. 

In the age of on-demand yoga and home practice, arm yourself with these proven techniques to avoid injury from Sun Salutations.

Man doing yoga and avoiding yoga injuries
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A surprising culprit 

Without a doubt, the greatest cause of injury is the ego. Well, at least in my experience it is! 

Beginners are more likely to ignore warning signs and push their bodies beyond what they are capable of achieving safely. 

Remember, yoga is not a competition and there is nothing to prove.

Most importantly, start slowly and choose a variation that works for your body in each given moment. 

A good yoga teacher will always offer modifications of poses and suggest ways to use props to help you to move your body with more grace and ease. 

a woman doing yoga and avoiding yoga injuries
Photo by AfroRomanzo on Pexels.com

Flowing into danger

The very nature of the Sun Salutation encourages you to flow from pose to pose. In fact, it is sometimes hard to see where one pose ends and the next begins.

While the fluid nature of the Sun Salutation is one of its main attractions, it is also one of its biggest dangers. 

Take care when lowering through Chaturanga not to get sloppy with your movements. Keep the shoulder blades on the back, elbows in and the entire body in one straight line. 

So, if you notice your technique getting sloppy take a break or switch to a safer alternative such lowering through knees-chest-chin pose or simply taking a cat-cow pose instead.

A man doing yoga. Avoiding yoga injuries from Sun Salutations.

Final thoughts

With all this talk of injury, you might be wondering what’s the point of including Sun Salutations in your yoga practice. I’m glad you asked! 

Firstly, the sequence of poses in a Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskara) effectively warm up the whole body. During this warm up, Sun Salutations soften muscles, lubricate joints, stimulate neurological, circulatory and energetic systems, and synchronise the body, mind and breath. In short, they are a dynamic form of meditation that keeps you strong and supple. 

Have you had any injuries from Sun Salutations? Or do you have a top tips to share? I’d love to hear from you in the comments or on the socials! 

Lastly, remember to sign up to the newsletter for more yoga news that you wish you knew about sooner!

Wishing you less stress and more yoga! 

Paula  

PS Check out my online and in-person workshop ‘All about Sun Salutations’ on Saturday 18th March 2023!

Paula from Happy Yoga Wales

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