"The wisdom we gain from yoga practice is difficult to distill into "one size fits all" statements for good reason. We all come to our mats for the same experience of self-awareness and self-exploration, yet we bring vastly different histories, experiences, and expectations with us. And that means not every piece of wisdom shared in the yoga studio, no matter how well-intentioned, is necessarily accurate."
"The idea that yoga injuries inevitably result from poor alignment is subscribed to by many teachers and students. And there is some truth to it. Blasting through complex postures at the very edge of your capacity could end badly for you, especially for parts of your body that are not accustomed to holding your weight, including your head, neck, and hands."
Yoga wisdom resists one-size-fits-all rules because practitioners bring different histories, experiences, and expectations. Not every well-intentioned statement is accurate for every person. Individuals do not need permission to disregard advice that does not feel true. Textbook alignment ideals emphasize outward appearance more than exercise science. Moving slowly and listening to bodily signals is preferable to mimicking a teacher's shape. Most yoga poses carry lower risk than everyday activities like driving or walking. Injuries tend to arise when people push to the edge of their capacity, particularly in body parts not accustomed to bearing weight, such as the head, neck, and hands.
Read at Yoga Journal
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