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HW: Special Cases
Special cases for knee problems.Students experience knee pain for a number of reasons. Sometimes their knees are sensitive, their hips are overly tight, their joint structure is compromised, they’ve had an accident, or they’re recovering from surgery. Any type of pain in the knee—especially sharp pain—is an immediate red flag. There are always modifications we can offer our students to keep them safe and avoid putting more unnecessary strain on the joint.
Balasana
The extreme degree of flexion in Child’s Pose can wreck havoc on some students’ knees. A quick fix is to place a block under the sitting bones to lift the buttocks away from the heels. If that isn’t enough, place a folded blanket directly behind the knees and/or a bolster across the heels to further decrease the flexion in the knees. A bolster under the torso can help too.
Virasana
The same principles apply to sitting in Hero Pose. First, make sure the shins and ankles are aligned properly. Next, prop the buttocks up with blocks and/or a stack of blankets, decreasing knee flexion. To work more therapeutically with the knee joint, try placing a tightly rolled blanket or mat in the backs of both knees and lowering hips toward the floor.
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
Pigeon Pose is particularly precarious on the knees and isn’t worth doing if your students experience knee pain in it. Invite students to perform Reclined Pigeon, also known as Thread the Needle, by lying on their back with one anklebone crossed on top of the opposite knee and applying the same alignment principles.
Baddha Konasana
Occasionally students will experience knee pain in seated poses such as Janu Sirsasana (head to knee forward bend) and Baddha Konasana (butterfly) that require one or both knees to be bent. In Janu Sirsasana try bringing the bent knee closer to the straight leg, decreasing the angle; or place a block under the outer thigh, supporting the bent knee. The same can be done with two blocks or blanket rolls under both outer thighs in Baddha Konasana.
Modifying certain poses will help prevent more issues and heal the problem, the main rule is that if there is pain don’t do it! Another rule is to always avoid moving the knee over the ankle in lunge poses it’s important to always keep a right angle in the leg to protect the knee, with the knee and ankle in alignment. Normally continuing practice safely avoiding any pose that is contra-indicated will help to strengthen the supporting muscles allowing the joint to heal. -
1 Reply
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Fabulous Abigail! Great examples and explanations!! 🌟🌺🦋
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