Yoga is a deeply personal journey that offers a wealth of physical and mental benefits. Through slow movements and deep breathing, yoga increases blood flow, warms up muscles, and helps build strength while releasing chronic tightness. Yoga is practiced for exercise, relaxation, and relief from bone, joint, and muscle pain. It’s crucial to recognize that pain is your body’s way of communicating. Many people start yoga with existing injuries, hoping to use asanas as a therapeutic tool. However, without proper attention, some may end up exacerbating their injuries. As practitioners, it’s essential to be attuned to our bodies, noticing imbalances, tension patterns, and pain. This level of awareness comes from listening closely to what our bodies are telling us. While it’s natural to want to advance our practice, pushing through discomfort without heed can lead to injury. Understanding why modifying your yoga practice is important and learning how to safely adapt your routine can help prevent such setbacks.