Yoga question - advice needed

[BestDayEver 418]

I've never tried yoga but I'm interested. I worry that my bad knees would prevent me from doing yoga. The problem is that my knees pop out. I can't sit with my legs crossed on the floor. What looks appealing is that yoga would improve my core strength and balance. Can the postures easily be modified to accommodate my knee situation?

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

A good instructor should be able to help you modify. One of my aquafit instructors also teaches yoga and incorporates many yoga moves into his class.

[Ashlegal 525]

Today I turn 33 and have been looking into, researching, talking about and watching videos on Yoga for a damn decade.

Yesterday afternoon, I went to my first Yoga class and it was amazing.

I have a horrible auto-immune disease that makes simple tasks some-days unbearable. And not only has my PM and my PCP but my rheumatologist have recommended Yoga and or Pilates for several years.

I too was afraid that some of the poses would cause pain but what I discovered is that with any exercise, the pain is temporary. The body needs exercise, it needs its core to be strong, it needs it's muscles to be used and it needs flexibility to be completely utilized.

A body in motion, stays in motion. Good luck!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Happy Birthday, @@Ashlegal!

[Ashlegal 525]

@@Inner Surfer Girl

Thank you! Another year older and getting skinnier!

[catwoman7 11,220]

I've been doing yoga for 12 years (pre- and post-op). I rarely have trouble with poses (but then, I mostly go to gentle or Yin classes), but the above poster is right in that a good instructor can come up with modifications that will "work" for you.

[jess9395 5,449]

All poses can be modified or supported (blocks, bolsters, blankets, etc) to support any physical limitations.

Yin and gentle and restorative yoga are good places to begin. Find a teacher who is hands on and willing to help you figure out how to work with your limitations

[BestDayEver 418]

Thank you for the advice. I didn't know there were gentle forms of yoga available. A good friend teaches hot yoga and that just scares me!

[jess9395 5,449]

Thank you for the advice. I didn't know there were gentle forms of yoga available. A good friend teaches hot yoga and that just scares me!

Hot yoga scares me too and I've been doing yoga for a while now!

Lots of different forms and levels of intensity! My 80 year old mother in law still does restorative yoga once a week!

[The Candidate 3,215]

I'm 54 and just started taking a weekly yoga class. I have osteoarthritis in both knees and there are definitely some positions I just can't get into without pain.

But the instructor is great. When transitioning into a new position, she describes and demonstrates it first, and then does the same for one or two modified versions of the same position that are less difficult. She always qualifies it with "go with whatever modification is most comfortable for you." I keep up as best I can and its been fine for me.

It doesn't hurt to let the instructor know too of your limitations on the first day. I've already signed up for the next block of classes.

Good luck! ????