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Quote, Tweetsnat wrote:

What I would like to do is:

1) Collect people's experiences with minor Ashtanga injuries
2) Obtain experienced teacher's opinion as to their causes
3) Obtain experienced teacher's adjustments or counter poses to prevent and/or treat these minor injuries

That seems like a great plan. Stick to it!

I agree that resting is probably underrated by many, as is maybe a healthy varied diet. However, in stead of giving up the practice for as long a time as weeks or months, I would recommend a shorter and more cautious practice - or you could try a practice that is more adjusted to your personal needs. I find that Matthew Sweeney's advice is very helpful (see below). Maybe even doing less of the Ashtanga series and more of Yin Yoga could be the way to go, or just do more of some specific asanas aimed at healing your injuries. As David Swenson says, "remember, it's your practice". The practice must be adapted to the individual and not the other way around.

"When first learning the Primary sequence try to practise at least three times per week. Do not overexert and take as much time as you need to develop your endurance. Gradually increase the weekly practice to five or six days with at least one day of rest. Having one day per week with a shorter practice is also beneficial - rather than either over-straining or not practising at all. Better thirty minutes every day than three hours once a week. Keep in mind that it is not necessary or desirable to practice every day. Try to maintain some consistency, but take a day or more of rest as the need arises. It is useful to watch how this affects the mind and body. Many students find the practice quite addictive. Learn also not to practice, though this may take years to understand." [Matthew Sweeney (2002): Astanga Yoga As It Is, p. 18, Third edition, 2005]

Sweeney, pages 19-20 of Astanga Yoga As It Is, on "Injuries and Rest", is a great concise read on the matter... but to write it all here might be a copyright infringement; not sure what the limit is. I will keep it short. Always rest immediately after an injury, but then get back to practice as soon as possible...
-- "The knees are a common weak point in the human anatomy, particularly the meniscus, the inward area of the joint. If there is any swelling in the knee joint (or any joint) excessive heat, whether internal or external, should be avoided until the swelling reduces. That is do not practise until the joint becomes more mobile.
It is common that stiffness in the hips and lower spine translates into pressure on the knee. Work slowly with the practice and focus on the centre of the body particularly the groin, hips and sacrum. If the hips and spine become more supple and stable, knee pressure will gradually decrease. If they do not, then keep decreasing the pressure on the knees rather than increasing it. If the meniscus is badly torn then seek further advice from a medical professional. If the ligaments or tendons to the knee are damaged, generally this will improve with time and steady, gradual practice."

And even better is to practice safely from the beginning, as described in Gregor Maehle's book Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy (2007), where a safe practice of the Primary Series is described in detail. I believe many beginners have not been taught to pay enough attention to the concept/practice of "active release". So, if you don't know this already, get a hold of Gregor Maehle's book, and read carefully, especially from page 20 on "How to Stretch", i.e. actively, not passively.

Asanas that give me problems with the knees usually involve padma or ardha baddha padma (lotus/half bound lotus) etc. - and I simply avoid that part of the posture, in anticipation of my hips adjusting enough to try it again, carefully. And whenever my knees hurt slightly, I find that gently dangling my legs is the best healing rehab exercise. Moving the joint without any weight or strain gets the synovial fluid working its magic.