Video: Online yoga classes could lead to injuries

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Yoga classes seem to be popping up everywhere, even on the Internet. While it's certainly more convenient to learn online, you could be setting yourself up for injury.

Sherri Holman is a convert to yoga.

"Practicing yoga allows me to relieve myself of the worldly stress and to just spiritually connect," said Holman.

Holman heads to the studio weekly, but now, she also logs on to a virtual yoga class.

"It's convenient because I can actually tune into a specific yoga class at any given time," she said.

You'll find yoga everywhere, from YouTube to exercise Web sites. Some videos are posted by apparent "do-it-yourselfers," others by experienced yogis.

But now, doctors and yoga experts say injuries are on the rise.

"I would say some of the most common injuries that we're seeing secondary to yoga include wrist injuries, shoulder injuries and also low back injuries," said Dr. Bill Stetson with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.

Stetson says there are some excellent beginner videos, but he's alarmed by ones that demonstrate advanced moves like headstands.

"If you try to do this at home, alone, you could really suffer a very, very severe sprain of your neck," said Stetson.

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Doctors and yoga experts say injuries are on the rise.

Trying a back bend at home could result in strained muscle, or worse, a herniated disk.

Terri Kennedy is chair of the board of the Yoga Alliance, which sets voluntary standards for the industry. She also posts her own videos online, but warns unless you're advanced, never try the more difficult positions unsupervised.

"So if you're doing something slightly off, the teacher can adjust you. And your alignment that might be off just a bit if you're watching an online video can cause an injury," said Kennedy.

If you have a pre-existing injury, it's best to steer clear of on-line yoga.