Disabilities and practice

[Guest guest]

Hello,

 

I'm new to the group and have been practicing yoga for the past

5 years. I tried all different types and I've currently rejoined a

yoga center that teaches K. Pattabhi Jois' version of ashtanga

yoga which emphasizes a vigorous approach to the asana

(posture) and parayama (breath control).

 

The reason I am writting is I'm wondering out of this group how

many others deal with disabilities and their ashtanga practice. I

am a 43 year old female 5 7' and weigh 143 lbs. fit, juicing and

eating clean and vegan. I received a total hip replacement

(ceramic/ceramic) 2 1/2 years ago because of severe arthritis. I

was born with a condition called laxity in my right hip and after

years of use just plain wore it out. Hopefully I will have this

bionic hip from 30 years to a life time (reported studies) Most

people would never guess I've had the surgery as well as I had

ACL replacement 20 years ago on my left knee. I hike with my

dogs (limited down hills) with treking poles which take 20% less

stress off lower body joints plus builds upper body strength. I

have also started my yoga practice

9 months ago and have been doing ashtanga with William

Wilson here in Palm Desert, CA. I've had 10 classes now with

William and am glad to admit I'm hooked on ashtanga. I'm sure

there are some poses I will never be able to achieve because of

my bionic hip but it's quite amazing how far I've advanced from

the first class. I'm sure most can relate to getting into the

groove. I plan on continuing my ashtanga practice and listening

to the limitations of my joints i.e. previous hip and knee

surgeries. Just wondering how many other out there on this e-

group have had joint replacements and/or shoulder, hip, knee,

ankle issues in the past. Look forward to hearing from you.

 

Sincerely,

The Banana Lotus girl

[Guest guest]

Hi, I have had a full hip replacement too (ceramic socket, titanium

spike set in cement) and the only things so far that I have had

problems with are Maruchyasana C and D - I was achieving binding in

C but it made my hip ache, and I can't do D without assistance, and

that made my hip ache too. I found I was getting an ache half way

down my thigh where the spike ends, as well as an ache in the

socket, but then, I also do some quite vigorous horseriding, which

is very comfortable for the hip but trotting and cantering without

stirrups (in a lesson) also makes my hip ache !

 

So, now I don't do Maruchyasana C or D, but substitute other twists

to get the thoracic rotation which I really like. And I'm

concentrating on other things. There is nothing else so far that

the hip complains about, except perhaps very deep forward bends with

a weight (teacher) on my back.

 

I also find that I limp very heavily when I come out of Padmasana,

but only for a few steps and I don't think that is straining the

hip, just the ligaments, and that's Okay. The outward rotation of

Padmasana is no threat to the stability of the prosthetic.

 

 

I wish more people with prosthetics and 'disabilities' would do the

practice - I have found that the overall flexibility and strength

etc that it gives far outweighs any aches - and lets face it,

everyoen gets aches sometime, even the most flexible young student.

Provided I'm not shortening the life-span of the prospethic, and I

don't think I am, it has to be good to do Ashtanga!

 

Best regards, Annie

Purple Valley Yoga Centre

Goa

www.yogagoa.com

 

ashtanga yoga, "bananalotusgirl"

<bananalotusgirl> wrote:

> Hello,

>

> I'm new to the group and have been practicing yoga for the past

> 5 years. I tried all different types and I've currently rejoined

a

> yoga center that teaches K. Pattabhi Jois' version of ashtanga

> yoga which emphasizes a vigorous approach to the asana

> (posture) and parayama (breath control).

>

> The reason I am writting is I'm wondering out of this group how

> many others deal with disabilities and their ashtanga practice. I

> am a 43 year old female 5 7' and weigh 143 lbs. fit, juicing and

> eating clean and vegan. I received a total hip replacement

> (ceramic/ceramic) 2 1/2 years ago because of severe arthritis. I

> was born with a condition called laxity in my right hip and after

> years of use just plain wore it out. Hopefully I will have this

> bionic hip from 30 years to a life time (reported studies) Most

> people would never guess I've had the surgery as well as I had

> ACL replacement 20 years ago on my left knee. I hike with my

> dogs (limited down hills) with treking poles which take 20% less

> stress off lower body joints plus builds upper body strength. I

> have also started my yoga practice

> 9 months ago and have been doing ashtanga with William

> Wilson here in Palm Desert, CA. I've had 10 classes now with

> William and am glad to admit I'm hooked on ashtanga. I'm sure

> there are some poses I will never be able to achieve because of

> my bionic hip but it's quite amazing how far I've advanced from

> the first class. I'm sure most can relate to getting into the

> groove. I plan on continuing my ashtanga practice and listening

> to the limitations of my joints i.e. previous hip and knee

> surgeries. Just wondering how many other out there on this e-

> group have had joint replacements and/or shoulder, hip, knee,

> ankle issues in the past. Look forward to hearing from you.

>

> Sincerely,

> The Banana Lotus girl