Recently, three Shree Yoga students underwent knee replacement surgery, and are all back to their yoga practice, even better than before. Here are the reflections and lessons learned by Scott, Eugenia, and Susan as they navigated their recovery with the aid of yoga.
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| Scott in Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II), one of his healing poses. |
Scott, 67: Committed to Movement and Modifications
Scott, a yoga practitioner since 2019, faced a challenging recovery following his knee replacement surgery, partially due to his participation in a COVID-era study where he had to do physical therapy at home. Fortunately during this time he had his wife Annie, who is also a dedicated Shree Yoga student and Yoga Teacher, to lean on heavily for support and help with self-assessment as he worked on rehabilitation at home. He was able to return to yoga 12-weeks post-op.
"During recovery, yoga allowed me to very slowly improve strength, balance, and mobility, with mobility being the most critical and slowest to return." he shares. “The poses that helped the most were Warrior, Triangle, and Baby King Dancer.”
“Yoga has increased my confidence to move and use my knee much more than any other activity I returned to (walking, golf, and biking). Yoga practice challenged me to use my knee safely at the same time pushing the limitations going thru recovery presented.”
Scott's advice to others considering knee replacement? "Consider yoga as part of your recovery to physically and emotionally support you through the process. I couldn’t have made it through my recovery without the practice of yoga and the support from my yoga community. I found the practice Anusara particularly helpful during my recovery with my instructors practicing off the mat, ensuring my knee was always in alignment, and helping me to modify my practice depending on my mobility and strength.”
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| Eugenia, just 10 weeks post surgery! |
Eugenia, 76: Embracing Smooth Recovery
Eugenia brings well over two decades of yoga experience to her journey, the last 20+ years primarily at Shree Yoga. She recently had her second knee replacement surgery, and she was happy that her recovery this time was smoother than her previous one. "I don't know whether it is because the technology has improved, or I was prepared better," she reflects. “This time around I did physical therapy in preparation before surgery.”
She began gentle stretching almost immediately post-surgery to prevent scar tissue from building up. "At the six-week mark, I started doing some yoga," she says, integrating simple poses to aid her recovery. Pre-surgery she couldn’t walk for more than short distances, and she is encouraged by her ability to walk pain-free now. “Yoga’s influence on my strength, balance, and mobility is huge at any time, but especially during my recovery. It improves all the body functions, specially related to movements.”
Eugenia's experience underscores the benefits of yoga practice: “My confidence in movement is the result of my intensive yoga practice. It has taught me body awareness, which is the key to being able to move freely and safely.” She also attributes her tolerance to the pain of recovery and rehab to her yoga practice.
She advises: “Considering knee replacement is very serious step. But if you’ve tried everything else - physical therapy, injections, etc. - and still feel limited in your ability to live an active life, it can be a decisive step to continue being active and to enjoy your life to fullest.”
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| Susan in Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I), which was painful for her pre-surgery and she now does with ease! |
Susan, 72: Finding Strength and Flexibility
After 20 years of yoga, Susan felt ready for her knee replacement surgery, despite the challenges she faced immediately afterward. The first three weeks post-op were challenging for her, but she was eager to return to her mat and was able to do so after 10 weeks of physical therapy.
"Post-surgery, I still face deep flexion problems in poses like Child’s Pose and Dancer," she explains. Nevertheless, she credits her yoga practice for much of her recovery, especially in terms of balance and mobility: “With those two issues not being a concern, I was able to concentrate on re-building strength during the physical therapy sessions.”
Susan discovered the profound impact of breathwork during her recovery, facilitating pain management and fostering emotional resilience. She shares: “I never appreciated the power of breath work during the practice; I developed a deep appreciation for it during the bouts of pain in the initial recovery process. I would use a count of four for the inhalation and exhalation; then I would increase it to five, then six. I soon realized that when I was concentrating on achieving the number, the pain was more manageable.”
Now that she has been back to her practice for a couple of months, she reflects "After each yoga class, my knee always feels better—looser, more flexible. I know it’s getting stronger every day. And because I no longer have daily pain, I’m in a much better place with my emotional/mental health.”
Her advice to those considering knee replacement surgery? "Make sure you’re in the best shape you can be; if you have a yoga practice, keep going until the day before surgery. And get back to your mat as soon after surgery as you can."
Final Thoughts
For Scott, Eugenia, and Susan, yoga has played a pivotal role in their recovery journeys post-knee replacement. Not only has it facilitated physical healing—enhancing strength, balance, and mobility—but it has also fostered emotional resilience and confidence.
Their stories highlight the power of yoga as a supportive companion through the challenges of recovery, reshaping not just their physical capabilities but their overall mental and emotional health. Whether you’re considering knee replacement surgery or simply seeking to enhance your mobility, integrating yoga into your routine could offer valuable benefits—proving once again that the mat is a
The Shree teaching team was grateful to be able to play a part in the preparation and healing for these students. Let us know how we can support your healing journey!
