HEAL YOUR KNEES (posted July 14)
Did you know that the knees are the largest joints in the body & sometimes the most vulnerable to injury? Many people bow the lower legs outward so the knees & thighs angle inward which eventually causes pain in the knees & hips. Collapsed arches in the feet & the toes pointed outward are also injurious, as well as ‘slumping’—putting more weight on one side of the body. How can you resist the discomfort & pain due to these imbalances, exaggerated stress, and ‘wearing down’ of these precious joints?
Here is how: Stabilize & align the knees so they are safe in all kinds of movements & positions!
Try this posture. Stand with your feet parallel (middle of the ankle to the 2nd toe mound), balance the weight on the 4 corners of the feet (mound of the big toe, inner heel, mound of the little toe & outer heel), raise & spread your toes. In order to stabilize & firm your lower legs toward the midline of your body: Bend your knees, placing your hands on the large side of the calves. Isometrically, press the side of your calves without moving the feet or knees. You will feel the thighs widen. Now, you are in alignment, because you can trace a plumb line from your ankle to the hip joint. These stabilizing actions release energy you can feel & accelerate your circulation through the joints! These actions also help to realign the hips & sacroiliac joint.
Now, check to see that you are not hyper-extending your knees. Take a breath & soften! These poses can be done standing & seated. Be precise & take your time & Breathe!
