by Nina
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Trees in the Ocean by Brad Gibson |
Today in my weekly yoga class, my teacher asked me to demonstrate a pose—Marichyasana 2—that I used to be able to do. But because the arthritis in my right hip prevents me from taking Half Lotus position (which I used to do with ease), I had to turn him down. It got me thinking. Naturally, not being able to get into Half Lotus on one side also means that Full Lotus is also unavailable to me. Even if one day I get a hip replacement (I’m hoping that won’t be necessary because so far I’m not getting any worse, thanks in part to yoga), I still won’t be able to do Lotus. So, well, that’s it for me, folks!
As some of you may know by now, I’ve been working on non-holding (see Non-Holdiing (Aparigrapha)) by getting rid of objects that I have no use for but to which I have an emotional attachment. So I decided today that I should just let go of Lotus pose (and all its variations, such as, Arda Padma Paschimottansana) in the same spirit. And I said to myself, “Goodbye, Lotus pose.”
For most of us long-time yoga practitioners, some poses that we used to be able to do will become inaccessible to us as we grow older. And in a culture that tends to value the ability to do showy and athletic yoga poses, this can be hard. I recently wrote a special post for a reader who felt terrible sadness about what she saw as the loss of her practice (see Practicing with Pain). People who start yoga later in life may just need to rule out certain types of poses entirely. Yet the ability to do these kinds of poses has no relationship to the rewards we can reap from the practice.
A few days ago, a long-time friend who is in his late seventies was telling me about how he had to give up tennis, which he loved, because it was so hard on his joints. But the thing about yoga is that even as I let go of certain showy poses, I’ll never have to give up the practice. The rich repertoire of poses, modifications, and props ensures that people of any ability will benefit from the practice, even those who are profoundly disabled. If you can breathe, you can do yoga.
And the practice of letting go of poses we can no longer do or poses we will never be able to do—of non-holding—may help strengthen us to weather the other losses that life inevitably holds in store for us with equanimity and grace.
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I love this article! Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
I can no longer do half Lotus either but I sit with my knees supported by a rolled up blanket or even blocks.As I have aged I try to find supported variations of the poses that are no longer possible rather than give them up entirely.
I had my right hip replaced 6 months ago, and am on the list for the left. I gave up full lotus due to arthritis pain a few years ago. These days, the bar is much lower, and I hope to be able to easily sit crossed legged again once I have two new hips. But after my surgeon visit yesterday, I realized I will never get my chest on my thighs again in child's pose. Somehow saying goodbye forever to the comfort of Balasana is harder than leaving the fancy, pretzel poses behind.
Thank you for your article. I feel better now hearing that I am not the only one who struggles to do the same things as I did them before. Is it frustrating? Yes. The key is making peace with the reality that my body and joints are older. The good news is my mind and spirit are young and alive. Thanks again.
Thank you SO much! I had my first hip replacement at age 40, and the other hip was done 10 years afterwards. As I age (I'm now 67), I struggle with finding the right balance of poses in my practice. Your words are both comforting and encouraging.
I am in my late sixties-heaven help anyone who even HINTS that I am "elderly," much less says so to my face! Until I get too out of balance or locked up (bodily) so as to not be able do so, will try any yoga pose and am just now interested in doing yoga. Live in Va. Beach-Hampton Roads area (Virginia)-any suggestionsfor teacher/studio, anyone??
Thank you for saying just what I need to hear on my 77th bd. I am so grateful to be able to practice yoga every day with modifications, props, and a smile.
I am 52 and have strained my knee badly. I cannot sit cross legged. 20 days back I was doing many asanas. After giving a few days rest I plan to start my asana, do you think it's okay to do all or let go off some asana.
Can you please do some videos for people who need to do some joint and spine health asana but cannot bend fully, so that we can benefit from it.
Thanks.