Is it possible to be too overweight for this pose?

Hello,

This is a tough pose! From my experience it is better to maintain correct alignment and form, and not go too deep into any posture until your body is ready.

I have knee issues from years of long distance running, and I had to back way out of the depth of this posture for some time to build the strength required. I was still working hard, I was still maintaining the correct alignment – however I just wasn’t down as low as I wanted to be! You know your body better than anyone else, and if you are still working to YOUR edge than it doesn’t matter if you don’t look like everyone else in the room. I think it will come with time.

Cheers,
Shona

Hi Valeria

I thought so but I have learned it definitely pays to be sure! This is definitely different to the Indian originated squat you mention. Simply be sure to keep the inner thighs activated and knees squeezed together into, during and on the way out. Also very important is activating your core muscles. If you don’t you will find that your knees take more of the weight and this would be putting more strain on them. In this way you will find over time you will be able to move into this pose more safely. You obviously won’t ever go to a point of pain in your knees. Check on your ability to keep those leg and core muscles activated. Check that you can keep your back vertical and come back and tell me your observations. Discomfort is different to pain. Which is it for you?

As Shona recommends, keep up the focus on alignment and breath. Build strength and notice over time how much easier it is go deeper.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

This is my most difficult pose. Not only is it too painful to keep my arms up the entire time, but I don’t go all the way down to a squat position on the floor because I am afraid it will be too much pressure on the knee joints. Do you think this is true? In Indian classical dance the position is called “nuromundi” and is done with the knees spread wide apart, but only for women of normal weight.

I can go down, but not without discomfort! Should I go or should I stay?

Thanks!

From the title, it might be possible to be too overweight, but I started at over 350 pounds. So at least for me it would have been something more than that. I couldn’t go down all the way at first due to a lot of stiffness and tightness in the knees, hips and back. Eventually that all works itself out.

Keep working with the arms. Remember your body adapts to increased demand. As for the knees do what you can but pay careful attention to how you are really physically feeling. Our minds can create all kinds of fears to keep us in our comfort zones. I suspect if you let go of the fear you’ll find that your body will pleasantly surprise you with how capable it really is.

Take Care,
Lee