Yoga is often praised for improving balance, strength, and flexibility, but new research from the University of Sydney has found that one style of yoga may actually increase the risk of falls in older people.
The study, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, showed that Iyengar yoga-based exercise led to 33 percent more falls in older adults compared to a relaxation-based program.
The research team, led by Professor Anne Tiedemann from the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, set out to test whether yoga could help prevent falls among older people.
Falls are a major health concern in Australia, where about one-third of people over 65 experience a fall each year.
On average, 400 older Australians are hospitalized every day because of falls, and 17 lose their lives. Exercise is known to reduce the risk of falls, but until now, no large trial had specifically tested yoga as a strategy.
The study recruited 700 people aged 60 and older who had not practiced yoga before. Participants were split into two groups.
One group took part in a 12-month online Iyengar yoga program, which included holding postures with the help of props like chairs and blocks. The other group followed a self-guided seated relaxation yoga program. Both groups reported their number of falls each month.
To the researchers’ surprise, the group practicing Iyengar yoga had a third more falls than those in the relaxation program.
Importantly, the yoga-based exercise did not lead to more falls causing injury, but it did raise concerns about whether this style of yoga is suitable as a fall-prevention strategy.
Why would yoga, an activity thought to improve balance, lead to more falls?
Professor Tiedemann believes one explanation is that participants in the yoga group felt more confident and attempted activities outside of class that they would normally avoid, which increased their exposure to risk.
Another possibility is that the static poses of Iyengar yoga do not translate well to everyday balance challenges, such as moving around obstacles or reacting to sudden changes in the environment.
The researchers also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic changed the delivery of the program. The intention had been to run the yoga classes in person, but restrictions forced the sessions online.
According to first author Dr. Juliana Oliviera, this meant instructors had to prioritize safety, often avoiding more advanced or challenging movements. Some participants also reported finding it harder to push themselves without in-person supervision, which may have limited their progress.
Despite the unexpected increase in falls, the Iyengar yoga program did have benefits. Participants reported improvements in strength, mobility, and confidence in daily activities. Some said they found it easier to climb stairs, get up from the floor, or achieve personal exercise goals.
Dr. Oliviera emphasized that while Iyengar yoga may not be the best choice for fall prevention—particularly when delivered online—it can still support overall health and well-being.
The study highlights the complexity of preventing falls in older age, which depends not only on the type of exercise but also on an individual’s health, confidence, and environment. The researchers suggest that other forms of balance-based exercise, such as squats, lunges, and heel raises, may be more effective for reducing fall risk.
Older adults interested in yoga should seek advice from their doctor and ensure they are exercising safely, especially if classes are online. While yoga can improve strength and confidence, this study shows that not every form of exercise works the same way when it comes to fall prevention.
Source: University of Sydney.
