Although yoga is generally considered to be safe when practiced appropriately, like all exercise practices, it has some risks. Your yoga program should be tailored to your individual needs, strengths and limitations based on medical advice about what movements are safe and helpful.

Because overstretching joints and ligaments can cause damage, listening to your body and knowing your limits is important. Some yoga poses and techniques may be too challenging and should not be done by people with certain medical conditions. Be sure to get information about different types of yoga, and talk to your doctor before beginning a yoga practice to make sure it’s safe for you.

After any breast cancer surgery, watch for yoga poses that could increase your risk for lymphedema. For more details about what you can find in this section, look at the navigation on the left.