The information on YogaMitra — including the 3D guide, voice instructions, pose pages, breathing exercises and the "yoga for" condition pages — is for general education only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and it does not replace care from a qualified doctor, physiotherapist or certified yoga therapist.
Check with a doctor before you start if you
- are pregnant or have recently given birth
- have high or low blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma or a detached retina
- have epilepsy, diabetes treated with insulin or tablets that can cause low blood sugar, or a lung condition
- have had surgery, a fracture or a joint replacement recently
- have back, neck or joint pain that is severe, new, or spreads down an arm or leg
- are over 65 and new to exercise
Stop and seek help if you feel
Chest pain, pressure or palpitations; severe shortness of breath; dizziness or fainting; sudden severe headache; numbness, tingling or weakness; or sharp pain in a joint or the spine. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Medicines and treatment
Never stop or change prescribed medicine because of anything you read here. Where our pages mention research, they describe average results in studies; your own response may be different.
How to practise safely
- Move slowly, breathe through the nose and never force a stretch. Mild effort is fine; pain is not.
- Use props — a wall, chair, cushion, block or strap — whenever a pose feels unsteady.
- Inversions (headstand, shoulder stand), strong backbends, breath holding, Kapalbhati and Bhastrika are for experienced, healthy practitioners and are best learned from a teacher.
- Practise on an empty stomach (2–3 hours after a meal), except Vajrasana, which is traditionally done after eating.
By using YogaMitra you accept that you practise at your own risk. See also our privacy policy and about page.