Utkatasana Part 2: Why Your Knees Hurt (and How to Fix It)

Chair Pose doesn't get the respect it deserves. In this deep dive into Utkatasana Part 2, Jane and Sarah reveal why this underappreciated powerhouse might be the most functionally important pose in your practice—especially as you age.

We cover the real mechanics of Utkatasana: engaging the posterior chain, understanding the "scissors" action at the knee, and why your Dobermans (yes, your femur heads) need a proper harness. You'll learn why flexible yogis need to stop collapsing into poses, how body proportions affect your version of the pose, and why ankle dorsiflexion might be the missing link in your practice.

This episode is packed with practical prep work including supported squats, downward dog variations, and low lunge dynamics. We discuss therapeutic applications for older students who've stopped bending their knees, and reveal why single-leg squats should be in everyone's practice.

Whether you're a teacher looking for safer cueing strategies or a practitioner tired of knee pain in Chair Pose, this episode gives you the tools to transform this challenging posture into your secret weapon for lifelong strength and mobility.