Benefits of yoga: According to a 2012 surveyTrusted Source, 94% of adults who practice yoga do so for wellness reasons. Yoga has many physical and mental benefits, includingTrusted Source:
building muscle strength
enhancing flexibility
promoting better breathing
supporting heart health
helping with treatment for addiction
reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain
improving sleep
enhancing overall well-being and quality of life
It is advisable to consult a medical professional, if possible, before starting a yoga practice.

Risks and side effects: Many types of yoga are relatively mild and therefore safe for people when a well-trained instructor is guiding the practice.
It is rareTrusted Source to incur a serious injury when doing yoga. The most common injuries among people practicing yoga are sprains and strains.
However, people may wish to consider a few risk factorsTrusted Source before starting a yoga practice.
A person who is pregnant or has an ongoing medical condition, such as bone loss, glaucoma, or sciatica, should consult a healthcare professional, if possible, before taking up yoga.
Some people may need to modify or avoid some yoga poses that could be risky given their specific condition.
Beginners should avoid advanced poses and difficult techniques, such as Headstand, Lotus Pose, and forceful breathing.
When managing a condition, people should not replace conventional medical care with yoga or postpone seeing a healthcare professional about pain or any other medical problem.