Knees are controlled by the Muladhara and Manipura chakras. Through the solar plexus chakra, knees reflect our ego, while through the root chakra, knees reflect our familial relationships. These two aspects are closely intertwined. Mother and father are the first models for a child. Genes, family karma, and the patterns we learn from our family home are tightly intertwined. We build our identity on these roots. The Manipura chakra, much like fire shapes the earth, utilizes the characteristics we receive from our family and continually shapes our identity. When analyzing knees, we must focus not only on their potential ailments but primarily on observing their alignment in asanas. In addition to knee discomfort, the alignment of knees in asanas allows us to carefully analyze the energies circulating within them.
For example, in the Anjaneyasana (Crescent Moon Pose), if the practitioner experiences pain and must come out of the asana for some reason, we can say that they have difficulties with surrender and submission, and their sense of identity and ego require harmonization. Knee pain experienced during practice is a reflection of the struggle between these two issues in our body. It’s time to consider – what causes us pain when we are “on our knees”? Observation is important not only during yoga practice but in all daily activities. Imagine a group of students listening to a teacher while sitting on the floor. Those who sit cross-legged listen from the perspective of their own experience, analyzing and considering what they hear. Those who have their knees completely touching the ground tend to analyze less and have a more open approach to surrender and obedience. The recommendation of a sitting position where the knees fully touch the ground in meditative practices stems from the desire to evoke a state of complete surrender during the practice.
