Yoga is hurting my wrists

[jro5139]

Hi! I've been doing Yoga for about 9 months now, doing it a lot for about 3-4 months and I am trying to learn the more advanced poses/ balances. I can do the balances where you are completely on your hands but what I have found is it makes my wrists hurt afterwards. Am I doing something wrong or is this normal? Do my wrists just need to get stronger?

[naturesflow]

I had this issue for a while on and off. One of my teachers actually had me look at the way I was placing my hands down on the mat, for weight bearing poses. So maybe check that out first.

I found at times it became excruciatingly difficult to do some of the poses, but over time it subsided.

[knightofalbion]

Maybe wise to ease off for a while. If it hurts, that's your body talking!

Glucosamine might be a good idea. You can get vegan glucosamine nowadays, derived from corn.

[jro5139]

Thanks for the responses. I don't find the poses difficult to do, its just my wrists hurt afterwards. I've always worked out and am pretty strong but maybe just my wrists aren't? I will look into hand positions. Thanks.

[Bealofull]

Check how you place your hands on the mat. Make sure that that fleshy bit between your thumb and pointing finger is on the ground, and doesn´t lift. This helps ensuring the weight is divided in your hand, and not all weight is put on the wrist.

Also, maybe experiment in a pose like downwards facing dog with rotating your lower arm outwards, and your upper arm inwards, and the other way around. They're very subtle movements, but it can make a world of difference sometimes. Just experiment and see how your body feels.

Definitely ask your teacher to check out how you place your hands though.

[bees]

Speak to a qualified teacher

[selene]

there is one thing that I know about exercise in general and is not particular to yoga. It is not serious or it is less serious if the pain is equal on both sides. If both your wrists hurt the same way, it may mean that you are building your strength.

On the other hand, I had that issue a few weeks ago when I first started yoga after a long long break but I quickly became mindful of the way my palms are touching the mat and the weight I put on the wrists. It stopped.

Hope this helps.

[naturesflow]

Originally Posted by alyanna

there is one thing that I know about exercise in general and is not particular to yoga. It is not serious or it is less serious if the pain is equal on both sides. If both your wrists hurt the same way, it may mean that you are building your strength.

On the other hand, I had that issue a few weeks ago when I first started yoga after a long long break but I quickly became mindful of the way my palms are touching the mat and the weight I put on the wrists. It stopped.

Hope this helps.

Your mention of both wrists hurting opened me to see that I sensed intuitively that this was the way my body was building strength more on both sides also, so you make a good point.

I noticed last session of yoga in one hand I had some tightness in my hand so I actually worked on that first to clear out the twists so my weight was carried more evenly, not just two hands with one fatigued.

Last yin yoga, we did some reflexology on our feet. I noticed some tightness in mine and this helped. The hands and feet in yoga need some extra love and care at times. They are the foundation of the practice in supporting the body as I see it,so it makes sense to be more conscious of both.

[selene]

Originally Posted by naturesflow

Your mention of both wrists hurting opened me to see that I sensed intuitively that this was the way my body was building strength more on both sides also, so you make a good point.

I noticed last session of yoga in one hand I had some tightness in my hand so I actually worked on that first to clear out the twists so my weight was carried more evenly, not just two hands with one fatigued.

Last yin yoga, we did some reflexology on our feet. I noticed some tightness in mine and this helped. The hands and feet in yoga need some extra love and care at times. They are the foundation of the practice in supporting the body as I see it,so it makes sense to be more conscious of both.

glad it helped you :). It helps me too to keep conscious, not only in avoiding injury but also, in being more 'competent' and able to do stuff I thought impossible.

[Goddess]

Don't do it. Those poses that put pressure on your wrests are not good for your wrists.... you are correct. Don't hurt your body. Listen to it. good job