Knees.
The importance of healthy knees can’t be overstated. Each of us wants to be able to walk until our dying days. It’s our birthright…it’s expected.
The photo above illustrates healthy legs. Observe the weight-bearing leg, the left. The center of the knee aligns directly over the center of the foot. The muscles of the legs are well-shaped and relaxed while bearing weight. (Well, the marble represents relaxed muscles.)
Presently, it’s hard to find well-aligned knees. The photo below shows how crossing the legs dangerously distorts the knees.
Notice how the young girl’s right knee, the one underneath, is not in line with the foot. The knee twists inward causing uneven pressure in the cartilage. This creates wear and tear. The muscles surrounding the knee are stretched on the inner knee and shortened on the outer knee. The bones and muscles are misaligned and out of Balance.
The girl is only imitating the “cool” sitting postures that surround her everywhere — adults, friends, fashion models, everyone on screens.
The position wouldn’t be a huge problem if she only sits like this once in a blue moon. However, distortions become a habit because everyone around her sits like this. She only wants to fit it.
Soon, she walks, stands, runs with the leg turned in. The wear and tear increases and damage is inevitable.
I see this everywhere in young and old, male and female bodies. It’s all I can do to stop myself from giving advice, or begging people to come to class.
With a little basic information, you can stop the wear and tear and change the way the weight goes through your knees. We may never be perfect again but we all can be a whole lot better.
For much more information on walking and knee positioning, go to our Self-Study section of the website.
