Wilson said another cause is inexperienced teachers.

“I think it’s really important when you’re looking for a studio or a teacher that you find someone who has been thoroughly trained,” she said. “You can just check in with them, ‘So what kind of training did you go through? What’s your specialty?’”

Simmy Pell, 58, started practicing yoga to gain more flexibility, but after attending one class six years ago, the life-long athlete was benched. One wrong move caused her lower back to be in so much pain that she couldn’t even stand.

 One reason for the increase in injuries, according to Kimberly Wilson, the founder of yoga studio Tranquil Space, is too many people pushing their bodies too far and not respecting what their body is telling them if they’re on the verge of an injury if you want a yoga mat bag.

According to Wilson, if a pose doesn’t feel right to you, then stop. Yoga should cause sensation, not pain.

Pell said she pushed herself too far in class and didn’t recognize that she already had a back problem.

“Listen to your body,” Pell said. “Don’t be like that girl or guy next door to you who can turn themselves into a pretzel and maybe a little less is a little more in the beginning.”