Is this pose really good for your knees?

Hi Bonnie

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Hi Janie

Great question. I think your knees do want to heal some injury but your ease into and out of the pose is deceptive. Usually it would indicate no problem as you are not experiencing pain during the pose.

With this answer I want to explore whether in fact you are approaching it absolutely correctly!

For example we would never allow our daughter to sit with her legs in a “W” shape where there is even a slight separation between her upper and lower legs, or if her feet were to bend at the ankle even a little. The idea is to have the feet in a line with the shins, and the hips touching the heels no matter what. If you are not doing that then please let me know!! Any variation from the correct pose twists the knee and could be behind that advice you have heard all your life.

Another reason for the pain is that you may be going back before your bottom is on the floor (you are going back too early). Once again I am just really seeking confirmation.

Your pose might feel easy but because of the stress you are feeling I would really recommend putting quite a large space between the knees for a while. If that still causes you pain then I would simply take some time in a classic kneeling position sitting with your knees, heels and toes together. This is extremely restorative for the knees. It might look or feel as if you are not doing anything but this really works.

So why is this pose healthy? Here are a few reasons:
**There are many benefits. Because some parts of the knee don’t routinely get a lot of blood flow, if this pose is done correctly then the shut off and then the subsequent flood of blood back through the knee can be quite healing through a great flushing action.

**The ankle position is an extreme stretch that is not generally experienced without dancing or doing yoga. It definitely helps to balance out some of the day to day normal usage of walking and standing. When your ankle is in good alignment it helps foster good alignment in the knees which of course will give you good mobility, flexibility and joint health. Plus done correctly the pose gives a great lower back compression and strech for the abdomen.

Anyone who has had a knee injury would be advised to take great care. If you feel any pain on the slightest twist during the pose remember to either bring them apart or bring them together and sit on the knee and heels in a truly restorative position (and wait until you are ready to start again).

Let me know how you go

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Ah, brilliant, Gabrielle! For all my looking, I couldn’t see it!

Hello B

You are doing the right thing being cautious. Stay upright. Are you feeling a twist in the knees when you feel the pain? I would recommend sitting toes, knees and heels together in a classic kneeling position. You may feel that you are not doing anything compared to the flexible folk around you but it will help you restore symmetry and function and mobility with this position. You haven’t said anything about your ankles so you should be able to do this without any padding with mats or towels.

Let me know how you go. After a while you can start to move the heels outward little by little.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂