So, by now you’ve surely heard us talking about “locking” your knee in class.
In fact, it may seem like an obsession 😉
And if you’re like me, you may have even heard somewhere that locking your knees is bad!
The truth is locking your knees is natural for the body when done correctly under the right circumstances and has some very specific objectives.
Most importantly there are some incredible benefits from this simple action.
We lock the knee to encourage:
- strength
- stability
- stamina
- better balance
- concentration in static poses
Locking your knee also releases the hamstring muscles, signalling the nervous system to allow stretching.
It improves circulation to the knee and keeps both your knees and your stretching muscles (usually the hamstrings) safe.
Okay, but how the heck do you do it?!
- You lock the knee straight, by pressing your foot into the floor and lifting up through your quads.
- Your kneecap is raised, and you’ll see the muscles bunched above the knee.
- You do not hyperextend or jam your knee back!
Check out the short video linked above, and then come try it in your next class.
Remember, the teachers are here to help, so don’t hesitate to come chat with us about any of your postures!
