Guest guest Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Hello, I'm new in this group and I hope I can get some advice from experienced ashtanga - yogis. I have been practicing ashtanga yoga since 9 mounth. Now I have problems with my right knee. I had never problems with my knee, while doing other kinds of sports. It comes from the yoga practice, esspecially from trying the lotus or other binding lotos positions. I had these pains the first time a few a weeks ago - then I stopped doing lotus positions, and everything was fine. Maybe tree weeks ago I started trying lotus positions once more, and now - the same dilemma. My question is: Can I destroy my knee through ashtanga-yoga? - I don't want to cut somebody on my knee. Or needs it only time, and should try the lotus later, when my legs stronger something like this? Thanks nadine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Hello Nadine  I had some knee pain when I started too, also because I practiced asanas I was not ready to practice (I was also trying the lotus position that I wanted to " perform " absolutely: ego problem lol) No we cannot destroy our knees through Ashtanga yoga, but we can destroy them because of our egos (being forceful, wanting to practice what we are not ready for)  You have to ask your teacher to adjust you and to tell you when to do the next asana. Do you have an experienced teacher, who follow the traditional way ? Do you listen to your body or are you forceful in your practice. Do you wait to be ok in a posture before trying the next one ? Lotus position is not part of beginners practice and will destroy your knees, maybe for life, if you carry on. In the finishing pose, I just cross my legs " normally " , and with time, I discover I am nearly able to be in half lotus without forcing.  It will come when you'll be ready, it can be very long, but its not important, we won't be more spiritual because we practice lotus positions. Yoga is a powerful practice, its very beneficial but like anything powerful, it would become very harmful if practiced incorrectly. Its why its very important to find a traditional teacher and follow his/her intructions. Which asana do you stop ?  Barbara  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Hi, I have an injury to my knee but it's not from yoga or lotus position. Having said that, in response to your question, I think the knee is very sensitive and it is best not forcing lotus and binding positions. It is best to do what you feel comfortable for your knee and back off it is uncomfortable even just slightly. I know it is very easy to push yourself in Ashtanga (and I have done that a number of times)... Slowly work to open your knee joint before you get completely into position. Back off if you have to. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Doing lotus before you are ready is probably one of the best and quickest ways to ruin your knees. If its hurting, then you're not ready for it so please don't do it. There's no hurry to achieve lotus, this is yoga, not a race. Most experts recommend that you shouldn't be tryng padmasana until you're proficient in Marichyasana B and D since those are where you build the necessary hip flexibility. Guruji has always taught that we should not progress to the next asana until we are proficient in the previous one. One of the things yoga teaches us is patience.... Hope your knee recovers soon. C. x - foersternad ashtangayoga Tuesday, December 09, 2008 3:32 PM ashtanga yoga Knee Hello, I'm new in this group and I hope I can get some advice from experienced ashtanga - yogis. I have been practicing ashtanga yoga since 9 mounth. Now I have problems with my right knee. I had never problems with my knee, while doing other kinds of sports. It comes from the yoga practice, esspecially from trying the lotus or other binding lotos positions. I had these pains the first time a few a weeks ago - then I stopped doing lotus positions, and everything was fine. Maybe tree weeks ago I started trying lotus positions once more, and now - the same dilemma. My question is: Can I destroy my knee through ashtanga-yoga? - I don't want to cut somebody on my knee. Or needs it only time, and should try the lotus later, when my legs stronger something like this? Thanks nadine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Hey Nadine, The theraputic and restorative effects of yoga are available regardless of which posture you 'can do'. It's in the 'doing' not 'what one can do'. Listen to your body. Never force yourself into a posture - imagine a life of forcing yourself into uncomfortable yoga postures; of which there are no end - not much fun. Be gentle, be still, practice what you can and never push or force yourself. Your body will open and adjust with time without mental force. Hope this helps. martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Nadine, I have been practicing/teaching Ashtanga yoga for close to 12 years. Lotus pose is difficult on your knees IF your hips are not open. Try some pigeon poses or anything that opens your hips. Make sure that if you decide to do any lotus pose that your foot is flexed and your toes are pointing towards your knee this will help to engage the quad and will keep your alignment correct so instead of the movement coming from the knee it will come from the hip. Our knees are only designed to hinge not to twist so be careful with your knees. Good luck love the practice but be mindful of the movements. Ashtanga is fast moving. The guidelines are the protectors: Ujayi breath, always flowing at a consistent speed, udiyana bandha (the navel lock), mulabandha (the perineum engagement), the drishti (the gazeless gaze), and Equanimus mind (non reactive mind, observant mind). Namaste' Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Dear Nadine, I had similar problems. I started Ashtanga around 11 months ago. I didn't have problems because of lotus but I was over stretched in Marcihi D pose. Both my knees were dysfunctional for some time. It was very frustrating. I never knew that Yoga can cause injuries as well. I never had knee issues before starting Ashtanga. I was very flexible and was comfortably able to do all binds. I am still recovering and slowly starting to get back all my binds. I have gone through Physiotheraphy, a chiropractor therapy and lately prilotherapy. They were all very helpful but at the end of the day every recovery takes time. I was very anxious after I couldn't do lotus or a bind. I should have let the body become more flexible. My advice to you is, take things very slowly and be very careful. It is very easy to injure your knee. If you think you are having any problems in any of the pose do not push, take your time before pushing or stretching forward. Even if your instructor pushes you and you are feeling pain please ask him or her to stop because you are the only one who can feel the pain. You will surely know where you are. It is your practice and you are the best judge. One of my teacher, Erin, says there is a difference between sensation and pain. Sensation is the point we should stretch until. Pain is where we know we have gone too far. To answer your question, can you destroy your knee? Yes if you push too much before you are ready to get to the next level. So take it slow. It's all about patience and perseverance. You should be fine. Let me know if you have other questions. Hope this helps. Thanks, Nitesh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 There have been a lot of injuries lately with practicing yoga. Since all of our bodies are different, specifically location of joints, size of bones, etc. we cannot all follow the same formula of alignment. After a few years of practicing, studying and teaching yoga, I have learned that there are some asanas/poses that some of us will never be able to get into because of the way our specific bodies are built. Maybe lotus is a pose that is not appropriate for your body and you could use an alternative pose to meditate it. We should try to remember what yoga means and that the asana practice and what asanas we choose to practice aren't the big picture....Please listen to your body, then respect your body and take care of your knee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 YES. You can destroy your knees by doing lotus before you are ready. This can result in torn meniscus or other ligament tears. To do a lotus without risk of knee injury, your hips must be sufficiently open (think external rotation). This does not mean you should give up ashtanga. Ask you teacher about modifications of " lotus " poses that work on hip opening. Also, don't be in a hurry. It took me 3 years before lotus was comfortable and risk-free. On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 7:32 AM, foersternad <foersternad wrote: > Hello, > > I'm new in this group and I hope I can get some advice from > experienced ashtanga - yogis. I have been practicing ashtanga yoga > since 9 mounth. Now I have problems with my right knee. I had never > problems with my knee, while doing other kinds of sports. It comes > from the yoga practice, esspecially from trying the lotus or other > binding lotos positions. I had these pains the first time a few a > weeks ago - then I stopped doing lotus positions, and everything was > fine. Maybe tree weeks ago I started trying lotus positions once more, > and now - the same dilemma. My question is: Can I destroy my knee > through ashtanga-yoga? - I don't want to cut somebody on my knee. Or > needs it only time, and should try the lotus later, when my legs > stronger something like this? > > Thanks > nadine > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Dear Nadine, I think by now you may have heard from several others or some that has been repeated time and again. However, I cannot stress enough how much important it is that one needs to listen or learn to understand his/her body through every breath and also having a truly qualified teacher for guidance. Lack of concentration may also result in injury and I am saying this through experience after having been practising for several years - YES, you've guessed it right I hurt my knee and came back impatiently hurting the other knee. It also depends on one's age, built and previous engagement in other type of physical activities or sports. To practise yoga through asana takes patience and practice. There is no short cut otherwise everyone could have become a yogi overnight. Ashtanga system is designed in such a way that one must learn each posture properly until able before moving to the next as it prepares the body for the following asana so on and so forth. This has been stated clearly by Guruji that each asana prepares one for the next asana. Also if an asana cannot be achieved please try a modified version till able before going for the full version. It is not about what you can do but rather what can done through sensibility and intelligence. Remember that what can be done today does necessarily mean it can be done tomorrow. Listen to your body as you enter and coming out of each asanas. Namastji, Jason Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Thanks a lot for your helpfull answers!!! I changed my teacher 4 weeks ago. I think I have a very good teacher now, she teaches the traditionally way. (she corrected my breathing, counting, dristi)And a week before I started with dayly practice 6 days (only sunsolutions, standing asanas and finishing position) - then I understood the Idea behind. - and I like it. once a week I visit a lead class (until navasana) I think my hipps are not open - I try sitting on the ground as much as possible. But now the problem is, and probably it has something to do with the the knee problem, that some of my toes are thick, red and burn, and they itching. Last night I woke up, I couldn't sleep, because my feet feel like boiling. Somebody knows this? I plan to visit my doctor. Nadine ashtangayoga , " gayle " <gayle wrote: > > There have been a lot of injuries lately with practicing yoga. Since all of our bodies are different, specifically location of joints, size of bones, etc. we cannot all follow the same formula of alignment. After a few years of practicing, studying and teaching yoga, I have learned that there are some asanas/poses that some of us will never be able to get into because of the way our specific bodies are built. Maybe lotus is a pose that is not appropriate for your body and you could use an alternative pose to meditate it. We should try to remember what yoga means and that the asana practice and what asanas we choose to practice aren't the big picture....Please listen to your body, then respect your body and take care of your knee. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Dear Nadine, Tingling / burning / numbing sensation of the toes or fingers may be a sign / symptom in your body. Sometimes it could mean the body is trying to get balance due to exertion of other parts which one may or may not be aware of. If like you said that your teacher is good then this person will be able to provide some answers. Also, have it check by a good doctor / ayurvedic practitioner for another opinion. Once a string is snapped, no matter how it is put back together there is always a knot. Good luck! Namasteji, Jason Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 Dear Jason, I like the idea with the string and the knot! I visited the doctor and he didn#t know what's wrong with the toe. He gave something to put on and I should bath the foot. It helped, but maybe it heals from alone. Interesting: he did't want to know something about yoga. As you said, I also think it has something to do with the practice. Now I try to be more aware whats good for me and what is not. I understood - its better slowly, slowly and regularly - even then there are many benefits: learn to be patient. Namastej Nadine --- jason khoo <jasonkhoobj schrieb am Fr, 12.12.2008: Von: jason khoo <jasonkhoobj Betreff: Re: ashtanga yoga Knee An: ashtangayoga Datum: Freitag, 12. Dezember 2008, 8:31 Dear Nadine, Tingling / burning / numbing sensation of the toes or fingers may be a sign / symptom in your body. Sometimes it could mean the body is trying to get balance due to exertion of other parts which one may or may not be aware of. If like you said that your teacher is good then this person will be able to provide some answers. Also, have it check by a good doctor / ayurvedic practitioner for another opinion. Once a string is snapped, no matter how it is put back together there is always a knot. Good luck! Namasteji, Jason Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Hi Nadine, There are a lot of great answers here. I'm adding mine becuase I came to Ashtanga with old knee injuries-torn ACL's in both knees as a teenager. I've found that Ashtanga has helped tremendously. You can " destroy your knee " doing anything, even walking down the street. In the early yrs of my practice, I had problems with my shoulders, knees, hips, etc. The teacher I had didn't properly address this. Later, I found a new teacher, slowed things down, focused on alignment, bhandas, etc instead of " full poses " or binds. My practice improved greatly. I have not been injured or had any problems in the last 10 yrs. My lotus, my binds, etc are all present without much effort. The key thing I teach my students is to always listen to their bodies. Never tug, pull, etc. This is a life-long practice without attachment. No lotus today? Maybe lotus tomorrow...doesn't matter, keep breathing. -Nadine (in California) ashtangayoga , " foersternad " <foersternad wrote: > > Hello, > > I'm new in this group and I hope I can get some advice from > experienced ashtanga - yogis. I have been practicing ashtanga yoga > since 9 mounth. Now I have problems with my right knee. I had never > problems with my knee, while doing other kinds of sports. It comes > from the yoga practice, esspecially from trying the lotus or other > binding lotos positions. I had these pains the first time a few a > weeks ago - then I stopped doing lotus positions, and everything was > fine. Maybe tree weeks ago I started trying lotus positions once more, > and now - the same dilemma. My question is: Can I destroy my knee > through ashtanga-yoga? - I don't want to cut somebody on my knee. Or > needs it only time, and should try the lotus later, when my legs > stronger something like this? > > Thanks > nadine > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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