Hot Yoga Experiences > Help for Knees and Hips
Jeanne, a dedicated hot yoga student who started her practice with hips so tight she could barely get them to the floor in seated poses like Supta Vajrasana, told me that her tightness came from damaged knees and ankles from her days as a runner. Yet, by focusing on stretching every part of her body and relaxing in the heat, the hips, knees and ankles all eased into place.
You're right in that every part of the human body is connected and interdependent. I think of it as a symphony; when one instrument is out of tune, the whole arrangement sounds off. And one sure, easy way to harmonize everything is to breathe deeply.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I know little about the relationship between the knees and the hips but do know that issues with my knees and hips go hand in hand. When I struggle with one, I struggle with the other as well. I do have to say that the practice of hot yoga has done wonders for my knees and hips. I have far less joint pain now than I have had in fifteen years. Thanks to the yoga!
Mallory Maier
Knees and hips share a relationship with the same bone: the long thigh bone (femur) which sits up into the hip socket at the rounded top, and rests on the knee joint the bottom. Strain from one end of the jigsaw will impact the other. Joints are where our bones "hinge" and allow us maximum range of movement. Fortunately hot yoga is a lubricant for all the joints of the body including the rounded end of the femur as is slides in the hip, and the patella/knee cap where the flatter end of the femur hinges.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
Hot yoga is definitely easing my joint pain! I'm thrilled with the results. I still have tight hips, that is a work in progress, same with the knees where discomfort comes and goes,but I no longer medicate myself for back or neck pain! My chiropractor told me that hip and knee pain always starts with the feet/ankles. He wanted me to get inserts for my shoes that cost aprox $400! Is it sort of like the chicken or the egg>? I ended up getting inserts at CVS much cheaper, they help a bit I think. Nothing helps like hot yoga though!
KimA
Nothing feels better than feeling better, Kim! Shoe inserts, Manolo Blahniks, chiropractor, witch doctor, hot yoga, hot sex....whatever feels good to you, do that!
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
I'm getting certified to teach Chair Yoga. I'm thrilled and intimidated because I understand that students maybe experiencing a different range of health issues then I am accustomed to. Yet in the end, I know I will be spectacular at this. My teacher told me that most of the knee challenges begin in the hips; This makes sense because of the flow of the body's energy and blood and also that the body's "challenges" are never exclusive of each other. I'd love to hear anyone's perspective!