Is it possible to practice yoga without bearing weight on hands?

[CoteDAzur]

I'm asking this on behalf of a friend whose painful wrists were recently diagnosed with arthritis + a fracture. She doesn't want to stop practicing yoga.

Is it possible to do a sequence without bearing weight on hands at any point?

I would be grateful if someone can point me to a vinyasa sequence in particular.

[VelvetGreen]

I don't know of a specific sequence but it should be possible - resting on elbows instead of hands for plank/side plank, substituting dolphin for down dog etc.

There is someone in my class who has the same problem and they do a version of down dog using the wall - standing with hands on the wall but forming the same angle if that makes sense, though that may not flow so well in a sequence!

[CoteDAzur]

Thank for that, Velvet. I was hoping I would be able to show her a version of Sun Salutation that she can do in class with us, for example.

I must admit I can't quite picture how one can make the same angle as in downward dog while standing with hands on the way, though. Can you explain a bit?

[VelvetGreen]

Here you go - some other good advice on here too (pic of down dog against the wall about half way down). It might not look like you are doing much, but you get pretty much the same benefits. This pic doesn't show it but you can also get more of a stretch by getting your arms higher than your head.

[suzannecaravaggio]

there are a good many modified poses on this channel www.youtube.com/channel/UClGIa_QyvkJgW6zAHSZv5Yg

some of which may be useful for your friend Cote?

I've subscribed to her channel for a good few years and found it very useful

[suzannecaravaggio]

what about this

looks like there would be less pressure on the wrist?

I've not actually tried it but I'm tempted to have a go

[CoteDAzur]

Thank you! Those are all very helpful. I got a few tips to ease into stretching posts using chairs for myself

[cece]

I go to a class that is seated yoga. Apparently all yoga started off sitting down and it developed into standing and balances later. I don't remember doing much that involves pressure on wrists in that class. But it is very tough - lots of hip flexor stuff. It is on the floor though not on a chair.

[CoteDAzur]

Off to Google seated yoga. Thank you.

[bookishandblondish]

Try looking at yin yoga - there's a chap named Bernie on you tube who is an expert.

[CoteDAzur]

Checked out seated yoga. I think my vinyasa fan friend would be a bit depressed to be offered something so different from what she is used to. Maybe something like ?