Is Bikram Yoga safe for knees after surgery?
Knee surgery for a torn meniscus or total knee replacement sometimes becomes imperative; his rehabilitation takes about seven to eight weeks; by that time any swelling, redness or pain will have resolved; As soon as you can put your weight on the affected leg without pain, you are ready for Bikram (hot) yoga. It is best to go slowly at first, immediately after surgery, if there is any sign of redness, swelling, or pain, remember to apply ice. Also avoid overstretching or bending your leg. In Bikram yoga, an hour and a half of performing very challenging postures, in a room kept at 105 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level of 40 percent, produces profuse perspiration to rid the body of all toxic waste. It also increases the strength and elasticity in the knees after surgery; and prevent future injuries
Bikram Yoga Rewards After Surgery
- Strengthens the inner and outer quadriceps
- Strong inner, outer, upper and lower muscles support the weak knee
- Increased blood flow and nutrients to the affected knee
Knee protection while doing yoga
After knee surgery you may want to return to your lifestyle quickly, it is important to do so with extreme caution. Taking incorrect postures or going beyond limits can put your knees in even more jeopardy. To practice Bikram yoga while you recover, keep the following in mind.
- Keep your feet well placed and aligned. Push down through all four corners of your feet for most asanas. If your feet are not in the correct position, your knees will be negatively affected.
- Your knees should be in line with your ankles, without rolling over them. This is especially important for lunges and knee bends. The knee should be directed towards the middle toe. As you bend forward with your legs extended while standing, remember to lift the arches of your feet.
- Some postures in Bikram yoga require locking the knees, refrain from that after surgery; you can pull the ball joints to strike a pose. If you need to hyperextend your knees for a given pose, do so by keeping your knees slightly bent in most standing positions and bending forward.
- If your hips aren’t fully open or extended, your knees will have to take extra pressure during most standing poses. You should open your hips early in a class to avoid putting this strain on your knees.
Bikram yoga practitioners who have undergone knee surgery must take special care when performing certain poses. The hero pose, if not done correctly, can pull on the knee ligaments, while done correctly, it is beneficial in healing the knees. In triangle pose there is a risk of locking or hyperextending the knees. In the seated forward fold, bend your knees slightly to prevent further knee damage. To practice child’s pose, place a blanket between your buttocks and calves to reduce stress on the affected knee. As this branch of yoga places a great emphasis on patience, you must remember to be patient and allow enough time for your body to fully heal before subjecting it to a demanding regimen.
