pigeon pose- splits

[sarajenivieve]

Hey so im trying to accomplish the splits by summer as one of my fitness goals, despite enjoying basic yoga im not flexable (like at all)

I try to do pigeon pose every day, I feel like its straining my knee it doesnt hurt while im doing it but when i sit cross legged later in the day it does and i feel like its weakening my knees 😞

I do keep my foot flexed as i read that helps any posture tips to protect my knees?

[WendyB]

If it is hurting your knees than you need to stop.

Talk to your DR

Or maybe you taking on to much. Try something not so strenuous and build up to this

[UVcat]

I agree with WendyB that if your knees are hurting you should stop and get some corrections on your form before proceeding. Knee pain in yoga is nothing to mess with. Could you get some personalized feedback from an instructor?

While flexing the foot is often purported to "protect the knee", I find it more effective to (1) make sure the knee of the forward leg is placed wider than my hip and (2) move my front foot back (so the angle at the knee joint is more acute) -- the idea that the front foreleg should be parallel to the front of your mat is something to work toward as your hips open, not someplace to start, particularly if you are having knee pain. Disclaimer: I am not a yoga instructor of any kind and this advice should not take the place of an expert opinion either from a qualified yoga instructor or from a doctor. (Or, better: both.)

Also, honestly, I'm not sure I understand how pigeon pose is going to help you with splits. This may be different for you, but I feel pigeon pose in my outer hip and when I move toward spits I feel it in my inner thighs (though I'm nowhere close to being able to do full splits). Are you working on the basis of some program?

Hope this helps.

-UVc