Treating Knee Pain

A number of students have mentioned a strain on their knees while doing Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose). What is causing it, and how do I help them modify the pose to take pressure off of their knees?
—Charry

The inside of the knee is the final most common area of pain in this pose. It can occur when a student is using the knees to rotate the thighs, rather then using the upper thigh. Therefore, do not teach students to rotate the knees in, but rather to keep the knees hip-width apart and parallel. The proper rotation of the legs in backbending occurs in the upper thigh, not the knees.

Maty Ezraty has been teaching and practicing yoga since 1985, and she founded the Yoga Works schools in Santa Monica, California. Since the sale of the school in 2003, she has lived in Hawaii with her husband, Chuck Miller. Both senior Ashtanga teachers, they lead workshops, teacher trainings, and retreats worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.chuckandmaty.com.

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