• Osteoporosis!a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue, typically as a result of hormonal changes, or deficiency of calcium or vitamin D!• Osteoarthritis

!A condition that can affect the joints especially the hips, knees, neck, lower back, or hands and feet. Wear and tear of the joint cartilage, this loss of a protective cushion between the ends of the bones can cause them to rub together and result in joint damage!

Avoid - High impact exercise!

Do -Gentle forward bends, backbends, twists, balances, standing, sitting and lying poses !

Blocks, straps, blankets, and chairs to modify poses !

Allow gradual progression and slowly build up the intensity of the poses through some weeks!

Breathing, meditation, mindfulness are key components to mental emotional well being!

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)!

The heart pumps blood around your body to deliver energy and oxygen. A certain amount of pressure in your blood vessels is needed to do this. However, if there is too much pressure in your blood vessels, it puts extra strain on your arteries and heart, which can lead to serious conditions such as heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease, stroke, or dementia

Avoid - Inversions such as head stand / shoulder stand!

!• Hypotension (low blood pressure)When blood pressure drops too low, it can restrict the amount of blood flowing to your brain and other vital organs, which can cause unsteadiness, dizziness or fainting

• Avoid - moving positions rapidly, for example during sun salutations!

!• Inflamed rectus femorisThe rectus femoris goes from the hip to the knee and can be used to straighten the knee or lift the knee up. This muscle can become inflamed at the upper part where the muscle attaches to the hip.The main cause of this is overuse through kicking or explosive movements as in sprint starts.

Avoid - stretching the quadriceps as it needs rest

!!Knee pain!The knee joint is particularly vulnerable to damage and pain because it takes the full weight of your body and any extra force when you run or jump. You're more likely to experience knee pain as you get older, and people who are overweight or do lots of sports have a higher risk of damaging their knees !check out http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/knee-pain/Pages/Introduction.aspx!!Practice asana without mindfulness, and it will spell disaster for these joints!Practise mindfully and your yoga practise will work to protect your knees!If the hips are tight then the knee joints usually take the hit - Lotus for example!Knees obey the toes - good alignment is key to knee safety !Your students can put cushions under their knees if doing any kneeling positions!!https://yogainternational.com/article/view/yoga-therapy-for-your-knees1 - could be an interesting read :)!!!!!!!!!

• Carpel tunnel syndrom

!Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve is squeezed where it passes through the wrist. The median nerve controls some of the muscles that move the thumb it also carries information back to the brain about sensations in your thumb and fingers. When the nerve is squeezed it can cause pain or aching, tingling or numbness in the affected hand

Avoid - Weight baring poses like plank

!Check out http://www.yogajournal.com/category/poses/yoga-by-benefit/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/ for more pose ideas :)