Challenging the assumption yoga can prevent falls
By Meg Tucker
Recently, Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander on The Health Report highlighted a new Sydney University study with the headline: “Challenging the assumption yoga can prevent falls.” A little confronting at first glance, right?
Digging deeper, the actual study title was far more specific:
“The effect of an Iyengar yoga–based exercise programme versus a seated yoga relaxation programme on falls in people aged 60 years and older (SAGE): a pragmatic, two-arm, parallel randomised controlled trial.”
Clearly a different tone from the headline hook.
Clarifying the Study
Published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity in 2025, the SAGE trial compared two 12-month online programs. One group practised Iyengar yoga—focused on static standing postures using ropes, bolsters, or blocks. The control group practised seated relaxation yoga involving gentle breathing and upper-body movements.
The goal was to see whether Iyengar yoga could reduce falls in people aged 60+.
Surprisingly, the results showed that participants in the Iyengar group experienced about one-third more falls than those in the seated-yoga group—though not more injurious falls. They did, however, report greater balance confidence, physical activity, and wellbeing.
Researchers suggested that increased confidence might have encouraged participants to take more risks, and that static postures may not transfer well to the dynamic movements where falls often occur. The online delivery during COVID may also have limited supervision and progression.
Our teachers reflect:
At Agama Yoga Centre, these findings sparked lively discussion.
One teacher noted:
“It’s frustrating to see Iyengar used as the sole reference point and labelled simply as ‘yoga.’ Yoga is a vast tradition with many tools beyond asana.”
Another added:
“Iyengar has its benefits, no doubt. Yes, static work builds strength—but stability in movement comes from combining strength, breath, and awareness. Older people often fall when they’re moving, not when standing still. A balanced practice that blends strength, flexibility, and mindfulness can be a powerful way to stay steady—both physically and mentally.”
These reflections highlight how diverse yoga traditions are, and why one style can’t represent the whole practice.
Taking the results in context
The SAGE findings are valuable but narrow. Falls are complex—affected by health, environment, and mental focus—and yoga’s potential contribution is broader than posture alone.
At Agama, our classes weave together:
Pranayama (breathwork)
Meditation and chanting
Dynamic and static asana
Mindfulness and relaxation
Together, these practices aim to cultivate balance, flexibility, awareness, and resilience—on both physical and emotional levels.
Final thoughts
This study is a healthy reminder that research matters, but so does context. Measuring only physical postures or fall counts can’t capture yoga’s deeper effects on body, breath, and mind.
Yes—the SAGE study challenges assumptions. But it also reaffirms what experienced practitioners know: yoga’s real power lies not just in preventing falls, but in fostering steadiness, awareness, and wellbeing—on and off the mat.