Yoga and my bony knees. I can't do downward dog or even sit with my legs behind me and sorta sittin.

[patricia92243]

sitting on my feet - makes my knees on the ground and hurts so badly that I have something that looks like rug burns on them.

My question: If I put pillows that are thick enough to keep my knees from hurting, will it throw my pose off alignment so badly that it will not do any good to do them - especially downward dog.

I'm torn between: using the pillows is better than not doing the poses or using the pillows will throw me out of alignment so badly that I shouldn't even try to do those poses.

I'm 63 and my poses are pretty pitiful already.

PS I do use a mat.

PSS I cross posted this in the exercise group, but so far no answers.

[crispini]

1. Fold the corner of the mat under your knees so you have double mat.

If you can't sit on your knees Japanese style, then Lotus is a good substitute.

Why can't you do downward dog? There's no knees on floor in that posture. :shrug:

And, good for you! Yoga will help you no matter where you are with your body! :)

[patricia92243]

2. lol - Unfortunately MY version of Downward Dog is on my knees. I can't do a real downward dog - I d

don't have the strength. I probably need to do something else to build up my wrists, ankles etc before I can do a real DD. When I say I am a beginner - I am really, really a beginner!!

Thanks for your answer. :)

[crispini]

3. Oh, okay.

When you get to where your wrists can do it, you can adapt DD by just keeping your knees bent, even with your butt up in the air. That's a bit easier than trying to straighten your knees. I have killer tight hamstrings so I adapt it this way all the time.

Do you have a class you attend or do you do tapes?

[patricia92243]

5. I'm using beginning yoga tapes. Within the beginners, they give you even less strenuous versions

of each pose. In one of the ultra easy ones. they are on their knees for part of the DD. But no pillows!! That is my problem - it kills my knees. I have now decided to use the pillows and gradually my strength will increase and I will not have to use my knees - and can do away with the pillows.

I've only been practicing a little while and am already amazed how much more limber I have become and how much better I feel after my little version of a practice session.

[crispini]

8. Isn't yoga great?

Just do what you can, and learn how to focus on your breath. Just learning how to breathe has made such a difference in my daily life! :)

[patricia92243]

10. I'm glad you mentioned this. I have a deviated sept rum and cannot breath through my nose like they

I try to breath through my mouth in the manner they say. I hope this will do, because the nose thingy is just not going to happen for me.

[crispini]

12. Yeah, the nose thingy isn't as important if you can't do it...

more important is just learning to draw your breath in and feel it go out to all of your body... when they say you are in a constricted area and "breathe into it" when you figure out how it feels, that is SO helpful. Instant stress relief! :D

[PassingFair]

4. Oh, a downward facing CORGI!

Just kidding, I have a corgi.

[patricia92243]

6. lol - no, a downward facing Toy Poodle ( my pooch) :)

:)

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. I hate downward dog

I'm more like a downward hotdog. (but all bun and no meat)

My heels will not come close to the ground, my legs won't go straight, I don't think my back is straight, I have no clue.

Fortunately, I can do "that which I call yoga" in my living room. Wild horses couldn't drag me to an actual class, with people who can actually bend. Well, maybe wildhorses, who knows?

Sitting on my heels, haha. My knees hurt, and my thigh (quadricep?) aches.

I'll just keep doing whatever it is.

[patricia92243]

11. "That which I call yoga" lol Says my feelingss exactly!! But it sure is fun trying, isn't it?

[Sanity Claws]

9. Use a blanket on top of the mat

I go to classes and we often used folded blankets when we are placing weight on our knees. Some people need a blanket when they lie on their bellies and place weight on their hips.

[liontamer]

13. You can always use props to make yourself comfortable!

Pillows are usually not recommended because they are so squishy that they throw off alignment, but double matting, getting a thicker mat, or using woven blankets (your yoga teacher probably can show you the right type) are all good. :hi:

[geardaddy]

14. How does one sit with one's legs behind one?

*imagining contortionist*

[patricia92243]

16. I think someone said it was sitting "japanese" style. I didn't know the name for it until they told

me.

[geardaddy]

17. Oh, I see.

You mean sort of sitting on your heels kind of thing. Yeah, that hurts me too.

[fudge stripe cookays]

15. Don't feel bad....

I'm only 40 and can't do yoga. I have arthritis in my toe joints that makes just about any pose agony.

[Connonym]

18. ;-) maybe you can get some knee pads from Monica Lewinski

seriously though, have you tried a gardener's knee pad? My vet wears pads strapped to her knees because she spends so much time on the floor with the dogs. Something like that maybe would be less likely to throw you out of whack? http://www.donjoy.braceup.com/spider_knee_donjoy.htm