
Yoga Contraindications & Cautions
Listen to Your Body. Modify Mindfully. Practice Safely.
While yoga offers profound benefits for physical and mental well-being, not all postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama) are suitable for everyone, at all times. Each body is unique, with individual strengths, limitations, and medical considerations. Practising yoga mindfully and with awareness of contraindications is essential for your safety.
Some poses that benefit one person may harm another. Always listen to your body, honour your personal boundaries, and learn when to modify or skip certain movements.
This guide is for reference only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional if you have any health concerns. When in doubt, contact us directly.
ANKLE PAIN OR INJURY | Adept’s Pose; Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose; Hero Pose; Lotus Pose; Pigeon Pose; Reclining Bound Angle Pose (blanket under the outer thighs); Reclining Hero Pose; Thunderbolt Pose |
ASTHMA | Boat Pose; Head-to-Knee Forward Bend; Plow Pose; Seated Forward Bend |
BACK PAIN OR INJURY | Cobra Pose; Corpse Pose (knees bent); Half Lord of the Fishes Pose; Intense Side Stretch Pose (perform half forward bend); Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose; Locust Pose; Lord of the Dance Pose; Marichi’s Pose; Reclining Hero Pose; Revolved Belly Pose; Revolved Triangle Pose; Seated Forward Bend; Savasana (knees bent); Sphinx Pose; Standing Forward Bend (knees bent); Supported Headstand; Upward Bow (Wheel) Pose; Upward Facing Dog |
BALANCE ISSUES | Lord of the Dance Pose |
CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME | Cobra Pose; Crane (Crow) Pose; Downward-Facing Dog; Four-Limbed Staff Pose; Plank Pose; Upward Bow (Wheel) Pose; Upward Facing Dog; Wild Thing |
DIARRHOEA | Boat pose; Chair Pose; Downward-Facing Dog; Extended Triangle Pose; Head-to-Knee Forward Bend; Marichi’s Pose; Plow Pose; Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose; Revolved Triangle Pose; Seated Forward Bend; Supported shoulder stand; Upward Bow (Wheel) Pose; Warrior II Pose |
ELBOW INJURY | Side Plank Pose |
EYE PROBLEMS | Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (avoid if you have glaucoma) |
GROIN PAIN OR INJURY | Bound Angle Pose (blanket under the outer thighs); Lord of the Dance Pose |
HEADACHE | Boat Pose; Chair Pose; Cobra Pose; Downward-Facing Dog (support your head on a bolster or block); Extended Side Angle Pose; Hero Pose (lie back on a bolster); Locust Pose; Marichi’s Pose; Mountain Pose; Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose; Revolved Triangle Pose; Sphinx Pose; Supported Headstand; Supported Shoulderstand; Tree Pose; Upward Bow (Wheel) Pose; Upward Facing Dog |
HEART PROBLEMS | Boat Pose; Extended Triangle Pose; Hero Pose; Low Lunge; Supported Headstand; Thunderbolt Pose; Upward Bow (Wheel) Pose; Warrior I Pose |
HERNIA | Lord of the Dance Pose |
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE | Bow Pose; Camel Pose; Downward-Facing Dog (support your head on a bolster or block); Extended Side Angle Pose (gaze down); Fish Pose; High Lunge, Crescent Variation; Intense Side Stretch Pose (perform half forward bend); Marichi’s Pose; Pigeon Pose; Plow Pose; Reclining Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose (head and neck on a folded blanket); Supported Headstand; Supported shoulder stand; Tree Pose (arms down); Upward Bow (Wheel) Pose; Warrior I Pose; Warrior II Pose; Warrior III Pose |
HIP PAIN OR INJURY | Adept’s Pose; Crane (Crow) Pose; Eagle Pose; Half Lord of the Fishes Pose; Lord of the Dance Pose; Pigeon Pose |
INSOMNIA | Boat Pose; Bow Pose; Camel Pose; Chair Pose; Extended Side Angle Pose; Fish Pose; Marichi’s Pose; Mountain Pose; Pigeon Pose; Revolved Triangle Pose; Tree Pose |
KNEE PAIN OR INJURY | Adept’s pose; Bound Angle Pose (blanket under the outer thighs); Pregnancy; Eagle Pose; Extended Puppy Pose; Fire Log Pose; Four-Limbed Staff Pose; Gate Pose (use chair instead); Half Lord of the Fishes Pose; Happy Baby Pose; Head-to-Knee Forward Bend (support on a blanket); Hero Pose; High Lunge; Lord of the Dance Pose; Lotus Pose; Pigeon Pose; Reclining Bound Angle Pose (blanket under the outer thighs); Reclining Hero Pose; Thunderbolt Pose |
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE | Boat pose; Bow Pose; Camel Pose; Chair Pose; Extended Side Angle Pose; Fish Pose; Lord of the Dance Pose; Marichi’s Pose; Mountain Pose; Pigeon Pose; Revolved Triangle Pose; Supported Headstand; Tree Pose; Upward Bow (Wheel) Pose |
LOWER BACK PAIN OR INJURY | Bow Pose; Camel Pose; Crocodile Pose (active version); Easy Pose (support under hips); Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose; Fire Log Pose; Fish Pose; Four-Limbed Staff Pose; Pigeon Pose; Staff Pose; Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend (sit up on the folded blanket); Wide-Legged Forward Bend |
MENSTRUATION | Boat Pose; Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose; Plow Pose; Supported Headstand; Supported shoulder stand; Upward Bow (Wheel) Pose |
MIGRAINE | Bow Pose; Camel Pose; Fish Pose; Marichi’s Pose; Pigeon Pose; Revolved Triangle Pose |
NECK PAIN OR INJURY | Boat Pose; Bow Pose; Bridge Pose; Camel Pose (avoid dropping your head back); Cat Pose (keep your head in line with the torso); Cow Face Pose; Cow Pose (keep your head in line with the torso); Dolphin Pose (keep knees bent); Extended Side Angle Pose (look straight ahead); Extended Triangle Pose (look straight ahead); Fish Pose; Half Moon Pose (look straight ahead); Happy Baby Pose (support head on a block); High Lunge (look down); Knee to chest pose (small blanket under the head); Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose; Locust Pose (look down); Pigeon Pose; Plow Pose; Revolved Belly Pose; Standing Half Forward Bend (look down); Supported Headstand; Supported shoulder stand; Two Foot Pose; Upward Plank Pose; Upward Salute (avoid the raised arms); Warrior I Pose (head in a neutral position); Warrior II Pose (look straight ahead) |
PREGNANCY | Boat Pose; Cobra Pose; Corpse Pose (raise your head and chest on a bolster); Crane (Crow) Pose (avoid in the 2nd and 3rd trimester); Happy Baby Pose; Downward-Facing Dog (avoid late-term); Four-Limbed Staff Pose; Plow Pose; Supported Headstand; Supported shoulder stand; Upward Facing Dog |
ROTATOR CUFF INJURY | Wild Thing |
SHOULDER PAIN OR INJURY | Camel Pose; Cow Face Pose; Crane (Crow) Pose; Dolphin Pose (keep knees bent); Lord of the Dance Pose; Side Plank Pose; Upward Bow (Wheel) Pose; Upward Facing Dog; Upward Salute (avoid the raised arms); Warrior I Pose (raised arms parallel to each other) |
WRIST PROBLEMS | Crane (Crow) Pose; Side Plank Pose; Staff Pose; Upward Plank Pose |
VARICOSE VEINS | Eagle Pose, Cow Face Pose |
Yoga Contraindications: Breathing Practices (Pranayama)
Breathe with Awareness. Practice with Caution.
Breathing techniques (pranayama) are powerful tools to balance the nervous system and support mental clarity. However, certain conditions may require modification, caution, or complete avoidance of specific practices.
Always practise under the guidance of a qualified teacher, especially if you have underlying health conditions. If unsure, consult a healthcare provider.
Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana / Anulom Vilom)
Avoid or use caution if you have:
High Blood Pressure/Migraine/High Anxiety/Cold/Fever/Flu/Blocked Sinuses
Note: Do not force breath through blocked nostrils. Skip or switch to simple diaphragmatic breathing until fully recovered.
Bee Breath (Bhramari Pranayama)
Avoid if you have:
Migraine/Heart Ailments/High Blood Pressure/Ear Infections
The humming sound can increase cranial pressure or disturb the ears in sensitive individuals.
Three-Part Breathing (Dirga Pranayama)
Use caution or avoid during:
Panic Attacks/High Anxiety/Asthma
While this is often calming, it can become overwhelming for those in acute distress. Practise gently or under guidance.
Ujjayi Breath
Avoid or modify if you have:
Heart Disease
Migraine
Throat Sensitivity (avoid tightening the throat)
Maintain a soft, natural constriction—never force or strain the throat.