So I teach Yoga. So I'm studying Yoga. So I should know better?! Well you would think so!! Apparently not. A week ago I was happily attending my third Yoga class of the week, where I study at Herbs and Yoga, I was really enjoying my first full week without aches or pains, (when you first start a class that differs from your usual the teacher will get you using muscles you didn't know you had, and boy does my teacher do that.) I am usually very good at ensuring that my alignment is right, that when bending my knees they don't pass over my toes putting undue pressure on the joint. I usually ensure that when we do Lunges I do not over stretch my knee as I know I have a weakness in my right knee. However this particular day my teacher decided that we would concentrate exclusively on exercises and stretches that involve the legs. As I went into my fourth set of Lunges I felt a twang behind my right knee and pain across the kneecap..oops is the politer version of what emanated from my lips. I sat down, massaged the area and then foolishly decided to get up and continue. By the time I got home th back of my knee was swollen and I was having trouble standing. I massaged herbal joint oil into the affected area, and prayed I would be ok for the next days class. It took a week in total for the knee to be ok for me to exercise on. The lesson here is now your limits. Know your body. Know when to take it easy. I know I have a weakness in my knee but I chose not to listen to my head or my body, I ploughed on and so put back my progress by a week. Yoga is about alignment, breathing and gently awakening your muscles through stretching. It is not about rushing and over pushing muscles. If you overdo it you like me will spend time unhappy and cross with yourself for being so daft. At home I take my time with poses, I don't push poses that are difficult I work up to them gradually. This is what you need to do in a class too, if your body says "No" listen, gradually work up to being able to do what the rest of the class is. We are all individuals and that should be celebrated, so be yourself and work at your pace and with your body, you'll be so much happier and healthier for doing so. |
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