Leg placement in seated yoga...does it matter?

[fanofladyvols]

Hi!

I am wondering if it matters that I don't fully cross my legs when doing yoga while seated?

I have found slight discomfort in one of my knees if I cross my legs. I have tried to return to crossing them over the last month but the discomfort returns and distracts me.

If I place my legs with shins both on the floor (but still in close) I have no discomfort. It seems to work well for me

Will I miss out on some stretches if I don't ever cross my legs? Just wondering if it matters...

Thanks for your thoughts!

[sherry7899]

Have you tried sitting on a folded blanket or putting a yoga block under each knee?

[bzar]

i think you got the right idea - modify the position to suit your comfort.

in Paul Grilley's lecture DVD, Anatomy for Yoga, he shows femur and hip differences in 2 different bone models. he also showed 3 of his students doing the same pose and how they each modified so that the pose would work for them. that was a clear message to me that everyone has a unique anatomy in performing a pose.

[yogapam]

Originally Posted by bzar

i think you got the right idea - modify the position to suit your comfort.

in Paul Grilley's lecture DVD, Anatomy for Yoga, he shows femur and hip differences in 2 different bone models. he also showed 3 of his students doing the same pose and how they each modified so that the pose would work for them. that was a clear message to me that everyone has a unique anatomy in performing a pose.

Agree 100%. We aren’t all built the same and you need to modify to suit your body and to be comfortable. Knee pain is not good!

[fanofladyvols]

Originally Posted by sherry7899

Have you tried sitting on a folded blanket or putting a yoga block under each knee?

I will try the blanket idea Sherry, thanks! I was using my block for my hand for the other part of my stretch. I did try lifting my hips on a blanket. That didn't seem to make a difference...but I didn't think about resting my knees only on them.

Jeannine and Pam,...i was concerned the modification was going to cheat me out of the purpose of the stretches. Good to know I'm ok if Sherry's blanket idea doesn't help.

[bee]

I find it does help to sit up on something in that position, but..... I really like the philosophy of my live yoga teacher -- if it doesn't feel good, don't do it. Vague, true, but she really doesn't believe in doing a pose in "perfect position" because everyone's anatomy is different.

[Lannette]

I actually find that sitting on a half dome (flat surface up) is more helpful than a blanket. The half dome rolls to fit your flexibility I had never been able to do Kundalini Yoga daily because Easy Pose would eventually kill my hips and/or knees. A half dome changed all that.

[fanofladyvols]

Lannette do you mean like sitting on a Bosu? Or is that a piece of yoga equipment?

[Lannette]

Originally Posted by fanofladyvols

Lannette do you mean like sitting on a Bosu? Or is that a piece of yoga equipment?

I wrote a post in my blog about all the ways you can use half domes. You can find it HERE. I learned most of this during year one of Kay Bowman’s certification class. I’ve taken what she taught and run with it. Half domes are useful in a bunch of different ways.

[fanofladyvols]

Thanks Lannette!

I haven't noticed those but I'm sure they're available. I do love fitness toys. In the meantime I think I can do those calf stretches on my BOSU.