I am 35 yrs old, taking a teacher training course in Shenzhen, China. While I was trying the Vatayanasana, I felt a kind of “snap” on right knee, and some pain, that has been lasting for about 2 weeks already. I have had some massage and acupuncture, but still I cannot do any bending with that leg, and Padmasana is a BIG pain now…I am afraid I may have damaged a tendon, even though I don’t feel any pain while I stand, sit or walk…anyone has any suggestion please?
I presume the right leg was the one in padmasana in the pose, correct?
And you are very open in your hips? Many students “doing” padmasana" do it in their knees believing that their hips are open or worse yet that it is opening for the knee.
Is there swelling on the joint? It is quite astounding to me that a student would even attempt padmasana following such an experience (injury, noise, pop, pain et al). C’est la vie, I suppose.
Consult your teacher and follow their nutrition meditation advice for such injuries. Take the turmeric beverage they share with you for inflammation, rub sunbreeze oil on the joint every hour when acute and reduce the frequency exponentially. If you do not have sunbreeze then you may use organic, untoasted sesame oil. If not that than organic cold-pressed olive oil.
The asana practice should shift to calming, yin poses, as should the diet. Again, your teacher trainer(s) should be providing you with these gems.
Rest for several weeks (sound sleep at appropriate hours, calm eating, lots of deep green leafy veggies, hydration, and an overall alkaline diet) then …
Avoid inversions where you have to land on the feet when coming out of the pose. Learn the appropriate actions in standing poses so that you can do them safely without risking further damage to the joint. Avoid Vira III, Gomukhasana, Garudasana, Vrksasana, and Utkatasana - especially the version where the legs are apart as it is dangerous for the very joint you are trying to soothe.
There are therapeutics for such injuries. Not to beat a dead horse but this should come from the lineage in which you are teacher training.
warmly… gordon
Thanks for the quick reply Gordon. Actually, the pain is only when I attend to do any bending posture, Padmasana is definitely a no-no for now. I am not trying to push too hard, but as I do not feel any pain while I do normal activities, the only way to check how the leg is going, is to try to bend it every now and then…and so far, the pain is still unbearable.
About my teacher, he suggested me to avoid any pressure, keep doing my stretching (my legs are still quite stiff…), and with time the leg will recover. He actually suggested me to practice more Garudasana, while you are suggesting me to avoid it, I am not able to do it in any case, as it’s still painful. I guess that being a teacher not always means to be also a therapist…
What would you say about Ugrasana? Hanumanasana? I would at least keeping my regular Surya Namaskara, I cannot think of spending several weeks doing absolutely nothing, unless there really is no other chance.
As I am in China, it’s not easy to find those products you are suggesting me to use, there are several traditional rub oils that they use for massage (Red Flower Oil, for example).
Thanks a lot again for the precious suggestions,
All the best
Stefano
I forgot to answer: there is no swelling on the joint, and the pain is more deep inside the calf rather than at the joint. Thanks