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Do you find that your joints sometimes ache when you're practicing yoga? Maybe your wrists start to feel the strain or your knees don't feel great when you're kneeling. Yoga doesn't have to be off-limits if you have issues with your joints, and can even help to strengthen them and deal with joint pain. If you're struggling to do yoga because it's hurting your wrists, your shoulders or any other joints, there are things that you can do to adapt your practice and make your yoga experience more pleasurable. Take a look at the tips below to find out more.

Position Yourself Properly

The way that you hold a pose when you're doing yoga can make a big difference to the pressure put on your joints. For example, a lot of people have trouble with their wrists in various positions where they need to hold themselves up. When you do this, make sure that you spread your hands wide and evenly. It can help to dig your fingers into your mat too, which relieves some of the pressure on your wrists. You can protect your shoulders by rotating them externally in a downward-facing dog and by keeping them away from your ears in other positions too.

Use the Right Equipment

Having some tools to help you practice yoga can be very helpful. There are specific pieces of yoga equipment, such as blocks, as well as items like blankets or pillows that can help to protect your joints. Some people might also find it useful to wear a support, such as the ones from ScripHessco, if you have a joint that requires it. You can ease pressure on your knees by doubling up your mat or kneeling on a blanket or towel, or you can use blocks to help reduce pain in your hips in some poses.

Move Carefully

As well as holding a pose correctly, it's helpful if you move into a pose in a way that feels comfortable. Doing it incorrectly could mean that you put pressure on a joint when you don't have to. For example, if you're lowering down from a plank, tuck your elbows in to protect them. Whenever you're moving from one pose to another, take your time and do it consciously so that you're not just wrenching anything into place. Your goal is to do the pose well, rather than to try and get there as quickly as possible.

Modify Your Moves - Do What Feels Good

The most important thing in yoga is to make sure that you feel good. The objective isn't necessarily to match your instructor exactly or do what other people are doing. It should feel good for you, which might involve modifying your poses slightly so that you are capable of doing them and they don't cause you pain. It will help to protect your joints and make yoga more enjoyable for you.

Yoga shouldn't hurt your joints, even though you might feel a pull sometimes. Making changes to the way you do things can protect your joints so you can avoid pain.