Steffany Moonaz – Arthritic knees and yoga

Steffany Moonaz – Arthritic knees and yoga

Course Overview
Anatomy and Pose Tips for Safe Practice

Join Yoga for Arthritis founder and director Steffany Moonaz for an in-depth look at yoga and arthritic knees to learn how to practice safely and modify poses for optimal comfort.

This workshop will explore risk factors, pain management, and show you how to use yoga alongside physical therapy for recovery after a knee replacement. You’ll also learn how an alignment-focused, accessible yoga practice can provide joint support and help to prevent or alleviate arthritis symptoms.

In this workshop you’ll learn:

Why the anatomy of the knees contributes to the likelihood of experiencing arthritis.

How yoga can be used as a tool before a knee replacement, during recovery, and long after a replacement has happened.

How to practice yoga while you are experiencing knee pain.

How to effectively use props such as blankets, blocks, exercise balls, bolsters, chairs, and wedges to safely support your joints.

Three different ways that people with arthritis can comfortably and safely get up and down from the floor.

How to support the knees and other joints for a more relaxing savasana.

How to yogify physical therapy exercises by incorporating breath and mindfulness.

Explore lessons

1.1 Why are the Knees the Most Common Area for Arthritis?
Lecture
6m
Steffany Moonaz, founder and director of Yoga for Arthritis, introduces the workshop and explains why the knees are the most common area for arthritis.

2.1 How to Delay, Slow, or Prevent Knee Arthritis
Lecture
13m
Learn about the risk factors for arthritis and how making positive lifestyle changes (like practicing yoga in a safe way) can help you to avoid them.

2.2 Preparing for the Practice
Lecture
36s
A quick explanation of the knee-strengthening practice that follows.

2.3 A Standing Practice to Strengthen & Stabilize the Knees
Hatha Yoga
23m
This active standing practice offers plenty of prop options to support you as you move on your mat.

2.4 A Seated Practice to Help Prevent & Manage Knee Arthritis
Yoga Therapy
26m
This moderately paced, breath-centric seated chair practice will help you to gain strength and can be used as a tool to prevent and manage knee arthritis.

3.1 How to Practice Yoga With Knee Pain
Lecture
3m
A quick lesson on how to customize your practice so that you can still do yoga when you have pain or discomfort in your knees.

3.2 Modified Sitting Poses for Knee Pain
3m
Learn how to use props such as blankets, bolsters, and blocks to find a comfortable way to sit during your practice.

3.3 How to Get Up and Down From the Floor Without Hurting Your Knees
5m
See a demonstration of three different ways to get up and down from the floor safely and comfortably.

3.4 Knee Alignment in Standing Poses
3m
Learn how to properly practice standing poses to help prevent or manage arthritis in your knees.

3.5 Support Your Knees in Savasana
3m
See a demonstration of various adaptations of savasana that can be more comfortable for people with arthritis.

4.1 Yoga Practice and Knee Replacement
4m
Steffany discusses the things to consider when making a decision about getting a knee replacement and how to talk to your yoga teacher about it. She also offers tips for using yoga as therapy before, during, and after surgery.

4.2 Preparing for the Practices
53s
In the tutorial and practice that follow, Steffany will walk you through movements that are commonly used during recovery from knee replacement surgery.

4.3 Yogify your Recovery: The Practice
Yoga Therapy
7m
This practice is designed to support recovery from knee replacement surgery. Any prescribed exercises can be ‘yogified’ by integrating breath and mindfulness into the practice. If you’ve recently had knee surgery or have concerns about using a bolster under your knees, please consult your doctor. Steffany offers the option of placing a bolster under the knees in one of the practices—you’re welcome to try it or modify as needed.

4.4 Download your EBOOK