When most people think about yoga, stress relief and healing come to mind — not injury.

But in a recent NYTimes article, "How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body," author, William J. Broad argued that yoga was dangerous. He quoted instructor, Glenn Black, who said that the majority of people should not do yoga because of the injuries — even stroke — it can cause.

Understandably, this article has caused quite a stir in the yoga and fitness community. And with the topic receiving extensive coverage from other news sources, many are now wondering if yoga actually does wreck the body.

ACE Fitness Expert, Exercise Physiologist and Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT), Jessica Matthews, said the advice to avoid yoga altogether because of possible physical injuries fails to view yoga holistically and accurately.

"Asanas or poses are only one of the eight limbs of yoga," she said. Discouraging people from practicing yoga — which includes universal morality, personal observances, breathing exercises, and meditation, for example — because you can potentially be injured in one-eighth of the practice is too far-reaching, Matthews said.

Matthews acknowledges, however, that of course it's possible to get injured when practicing the poses — just like how you can also get injured or "wreck your body" when you're running, swimming, weight lifting, or exercising on your favorite cardio machine.

How?

Any time fundamental form of any exercise is not mastered before advancing — like in this viral video taken at a Crossfit gym — the risk for injury is higher. So when yoga students neglect the basics, follow an instructor who does not use intelligent sequencing, or move onto advanced poses because everyone else in the class is holding them, they are putting themselves in danger of sustaining injuries.

In any physical activity, participants must first develop a solid foundation for movement, and instructors must prioritize safety to avoid injuries.