I started going to a yoga studio over the summer and I am completely getting rid of my gym membership and just doing yoga for the rest of my life. It is better than sex. I would see if you can get into some sort of yoga studio, or take a yoga class through the college or something. It is SO worth it. The place I go we can request what we want to work on. I have a huge problem with Lats (shoulders BACK and down we've all heard that right?) so each time we work on that and the instructor gives me stuff I can work on at home. It's so worth it for $40 a month. Also, we do a bit of meditation and I walk out of there feeling like I am on top of the world. I HIGHLY suggest it. BE A YOGI!
I have had arthritis all of my life, and I found that yoga classes helped me. I started doing yoga asanas while riding bareback. My riding, particularly balance and independent seat (which I've always been blessed with naturally anyway) both improved. Both my yoga teacher and my riding friends thought I was crazy. Much later, this book came out:
I also have bad knees. I've had stitches twice in my left one, and my right one is achy at times from playing volleyball for so many years -I'm also 19!
I do yoga twice a week and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I also ride my bike to classes, and in the beginning my knees would get sore and they still "pop" in the first couple minutes, but biking has made them stronger. I have no idea if this would be detrimental or beneficial for arthritic knees, though.
Yoga is also very relaxing, I'm in college and I feel so much less stressed afterwards. Although, I admit that the "relaxation exercise" (I can't remember the real work) is more like a NAP for me, hahaha!
I haven't done yoga, but I do pilates 5 mornings a week (only about 20 min or so). The pilates definitely makes me feel better, and helps strengthen my lower back (which is were I'm weak). I'm not sure if pilates is right for you, but you might look into it if you're interested. I know many studios do both yoga and pilates classes, so they'd probably let you try them both out to see what works best.
Love love love yoga. I'd recommend doing a class for a little while, and not at home. Instructors can catch bad positioning of your body before it causes more pain!
ALSO, just a random recommendation, have you checked your saddle? My jumping saddle started causing me a lot of knee pain, and we figured out it needed to be flocked. Just as a friendly suggestion, you could take your saddle to your physio doctor, and have him look at you sitting in it? My doctor (mom's friend) watched me ride in it, and caught the compensation I was making for the saddle's poor position with my knee.
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(Vol 1):
http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Equestrians-Achieving-Union-Horse/dp/1872119263/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227109085&sr=8-2
(Vol 2):
http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Riding-Relaxation-Techniques-Equestrians/dp/B0001KNH8G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1227109085&sr=8-3
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I do yoga twice a week and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I also ride my bike to classes, and in the beginning my knees would get sore and they still "pop" in the first couple minutes, but biking has made them stronger. I have no idea if this would be detrimental or beneficial for arthritic knees, though.
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Good luck.
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ALSO, just a random recommendation, have you checked your saddle? My jumping saddle started causing me a lot of knee pain, and we figured out it needed to be flocked. Just as a friendly suggestion, you could take your saddle to your physio doctor, and have him look at you sitting in it? My doctor (mom's friend) watched me ride in it, and caught the compensation I was making for the saddle's poor position with my knee.
Just a thought.
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