Sunday, October 1, 2023
  • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • OUR TEAM
    • AMBASSADORS
  • BLOG
    • SPOTLIGHT
    • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • LIFESTYLE
    • YOGA + MOVEMENT
    • GEAR
    • TRAVEL
  • PODCAST
  • BOOK CLUB
  • PARTNERS
    • DIRECTORY
    • PROFILES
    • JOIN US
  • EVENTS
    • EVENTS CALENDAR
    • EVENT ROUND UP
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
    • Cart
MN YOGA + Life magazine
  • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • OUR TEAM
    • AMBASSADORS
  • BLOG
    • SPOTLIGHT
    • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • LIFESTYLE
    • YOGA + MOVEMENT
    • GEAR
    • TRAVEL
  • PODCAST
  • BOOK CLUB
  • PARTNERS
    • DIRECTORY
    • PROFILES
    • JOIN US
  • EVENTS
    • EVENTS CALENDAR
    • EVENT ROUND UP
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
    • Cart
No Result
View All Result
MN YOGA + Life magazine
No Result
View All Result

Yoga for Bendy People

by Libby Hinsley, PT, DPT, C-IAYT (she/her)

July 11, 2022
in Yoga + Movement
209 9
317
SHARES
2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
July 11, 2022
in Yoga + Movement

Ever wonder why some people in your yoga class move with ease into pretzel-like postures such as splits, deep backbends, and contortionist-style forward folds, while others struggle to reach their shins, much less their toes? Rather than a sign of being farther along the path to enlightenment, those gumby practitioners may simply demonstrate joint hypermobility. 

Hypermobility describes the ability of a joint to move more than normal. Some people have one or two hypermobile joints; some people have many. Either way, hypermobility isn’t necessarily pathological (whew). 

A variety of factors may lead someone to joint hypermobility, including the shape of their bones, the angles at which their bones connect , or a genetic difference in their collagenous connective tissue. 

Some people have a difference in the structure or function of collagen fibers, or the cells that produce collagen.  The most abundant structural protein in the body,  collagen essentially holds your body together. 

Collagen is the central ingredient in your tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, and fascia.

When a genetic difference causes joint hypermobility in these collagenous connective tissues, it’s more likely to be part of a “hypermobility syndrome” that typically includes wide-ranging symptoms impacting many systems of the body. The most common hypermobility syndromes include Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). 

So, while being bendy comes with perks when doing impressive pretzel-like yoga postures, joint hypermobility often can be just the tip of the iceberg for bendy people.

They often experience joint pain, muscle tension, fatigue, digestive problems, histamine intolerance, and anxiety. They’re more likely to live with neurodevelopmental differences including ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, they’re likely to battle dysautonomia, which means their heart rate and blood pressure fall out of whack, which may create dizziness, fatigue, and other challenges. 

Their connective tissue difference makes them prone to strains and sprains, joint subluxation and dislocation, and pain. So, when it comes to yoga practice, bendy people might be more at risk for injury. This comment leads many to ask me, “Is yoga bad for bendy people?” The answer is: “It all depends.” It depends on what you mean by yoga.

I treat many bendy yogis who develop chronic pain and injury through their yoga practice. The more yoga they practice, the worse they feel. Some of the most common complaints include sacroiliac joint pain, chronic hamstring strain, and shoulder pain. And it’s true: if practiced unwisely, yoga can certainly be a source of more harm than good for people with hypermobility syndromes. 

However, if we approach yoga practice with certain principles in mind, then it can be a supportive part of a bendy person’s life. Yoga offers some amazing tools that directly support the needs of bendy people. From asana and pranayama to meditative practices and the application of yogic ethics, yoga can be a veritable treasure trove for bendy practitioners. 

A fast-paced, highly-asymmetrical asana sequence (i.e., includes an endless string of one-sided postures before getting to the other side) with passive end-range stretching serves as a good recipe for a bendy practitioner to come out feeling worse, not better, after class. 

But an asana practice emphasizing  smaller movements (back away from the edge!), slower movements (hello, motor control!), muscular engagement to support joint stability, more symmetry in sequencing, and proprioceptive awareness can be like magic for the bendy body.

Beyond asana, yoga is the gift that keeps on giving. Pranayama practices promoting a sense of inner calm may help the bendy practitioner develop a stronger understanding of their inner experience, learn to tame their often hypervigilant nervous system, and develop skills for improved regulation. Meditative practices offer resources for training the attention to calm the mind, understand patterns of behavior, and develop clarity of purpose. 

For a more in-depth exploration into the world of hypermobility syndromes and how yoga practices can support bendy people, check out my new book, Yoga for Bendy People, due for publication in summer 2022.

 

Libby Hinsley, PT, DPT, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Yoga Therapist most influenced by the tradition of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar. She maintains a private physical therapy practice, where she integrates yoga and manual therapy techniques and specializes in the treatment of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, yoga-related injury, and chronic pain. She also offers a monthly membership program for yoga teachers called “Anatomy Bites” — an embodied, relevant, and fun way for yoga teachers to learn anatomy. 

Related Posts

Turn Up Your Voice!
Yoga + Movement

Turn Up Your Voice!

September 13, 2023
What is the Energetic Highway?
Yoga + Movement

What is the Energetic Highway?

August 23, 2023
Elevate Your Evolution With Yoga
Yoga + Movement

Elevate Your Evolution With Yoga

August 9, 2023
Reclaim Your Attention
Yoga + Movement

Reclaim Your Attention

July 12, 2023
Subtle Body Science Guided by Intuition
Yoga + Movement

Subtle Body Science Guided by Intuition

July 5, 2023
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Tags: hypermobilitymn yogamn yoga life magazineyoga
Share127Tweet79
Previous Post

Brain Boosting Yoga

Next Post

Intermittent Fasting & Me

SIGN UP

BLOG

On the Cover

On the Cover

October 1, 2023 in Spotlight First and Last name: Helen Wang Pronouns: she/her Where are you located? (city and state): Minneapolis MN What gets you excited about MN YOGA + Life [...]

Read more
Meet LoveYourBrain Community Member Amy Zellmer

Meet LoveYourBrain Community Member Amy Zellmer

September 29, 2023 in Spotlight February 3, 2014 started out like any other morning. I got up early to move my car due to our building plowing the lots. I [...]

Read more
Book Review: Between Friends by Susan Schussler

Book Review: Between Friends by Susan Schussler

September 27, 2023 in Lifestyle Title: Book Review: Between Friends Sub: Not Your Average Romance Novel Between Friends, written by Minnesota author Susan Schussler, is the third book in her [...]

Read more
Self Evolution

Self Evolution

September 20, 2023 in Health + Wellness We all have an innate desire to evolve and live our best lives as the greatest version of ourselves. That said, we often [...]

Read more
Turn Up Your Voice!

Turn Up Your Voice!

September 13, 2023 in Yoga + Movement “Your voice is so low and melodious, I just kind of tuned out.” “I love what you’re saying, but I can’t hear it.” [...]

Read more

Email Blast Digital Marketing Sale

September 9, 2023 in Uncategorized Buy Three, Get One FREE Take advantage of our most popular digital marketing method and get your brand/studio/product in front of thousands of readers and [...]

Read more

Suggested Reading for National Yoga Month

I am a collector of books, and in particular, enjoy nonfiction books. I hope my curated list of books for National Yoga Month bring you as much joy as they [...]

Read more
Studio Spotlight: Minneapolis Yoga - Melissa Sargent

Studio Spotlight: Minneapolis Yoga – Melissa Sargent

September 6, 2023 in Spotlight A hidden gem located just off the greenway in Uptown on Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis Yoga specializes in Original Hot Yoga. I caught up with owner [...]

Read more
Call for Content

Call for Content

September 1, 2023 in Uncategorized We are seeking story ideas and confirming story assignments for the upcoming Spring + Summer issue of Midwest YOGA + Life magazine, due out April 1st. The [...]

Read more
5 Steps to “What’s Next?”

5 Steps to “What’s Next?”

August 30, 2023 in Health + Wellness Annie rushed through the busy coffee shop, steaming latte in one hand, phone buzzing in the other. She let out a “whoosh” of [...]

Read more

INSTAGRAM

Follow Us!

  • Exciting Announcement coming October 5th!

#vaguebooking #announcement #BigNews #YogaCommunity #MNyoga #MidwestYoga #YogaMagazine
  • What a gorgeous day for the @oneloveyoga.hb yoga festival today in Chanhassen!! So great to meet @yogasix_minnetonka and @greenwayyoga … thank you, Holly, for all your hard work, and for inviting the magazine to be a sponsor, and allowing me to teach a Chair Yoga class!!! 

#YogaFestival #YogaFestivals #YogaCommunity #MNyoga #MidwestYoga #YogaMagazine #PrintMedia #PrintMagazine
  • Exciting Announcement coming October 5th!

#vaguebooking #announcement #BigNews #YogaCommunity #MNyoga #MidwestYoga #YogaMagazine
  • Today is International Podcast Day! Did you know I produce TWO podcasts?! One for wellness enthusiasts and one for TBI survivors and caregivers. 

Be sure to subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!! 

#podcaster #PodcastHost #InternationalPodcastDay #WellnessPodcast #TBIpodcast #TBIsurvivor
  • The Fall + Winter issue is here!!!! You can pick it up for free at any of our partner locations, or purchase a print subscription to have it delivered to your mailbox!! LINK IN BIO 
www.mnyogalife.com/subscribe

#YogaMagazine #PrintMedia #PrintMagazine #YogaCommunity #MNyoga #MidwestYoga
  • Exciting Announcement coming October 5th!

#vaguebooking #announcement #BigNews #YogaCommunity #MNyoga #MidwestYoga #YogaMagazine
  • Exciting Announcement coming October 5th!

#vaguebooking #announcement #BigNews #YogaCommunity #MNyoga #MidwestYoga #YogaMagazine
  • “Between Friends, written by Minnesota author Susan Schussler, is the third book in her Between the Raindrops series. While the novel (just under 300 pages) features crossover characters, the third book’s storyline stands on its own, making it easily readable apart from the series. Published in 2016, Schussler’s topics remain very relevant to the growing awareness of mental health and drug abuse. She doesn’t shy away from bringing up tough issues such as suicide, drug overdose, emotionally abusive relationships, and grief.”

Read the full review of "Between Friends" by Susan Schussler on the blog 

https://mnyogalife.com/book-review-between-friends-by-susan-schussler/

Reeve Klatt is a creative living in North Minneapolis. When she’s not writing, you can find her playing with her cats, teaching yoga, or digging in her garden.

#BookReview #romance #MNyoga #MidwestYoga #YogaCommunity
  • Holy mother forking shirt balls … look what arrived!! 

#MNyoga #MidwestYoga #YogaMagazine #YogaCommunity #

© Copyright 2021 | MN Yoga + Life Magazine

  • HOME
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • OUR TEAM
    • AMBASSADORS
  • BLOG
    • SPOTLIGHT
    • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • LIFESTYLE
    • YOGA + MOVEMENT
    • GEAR
    • TRAVEL
  • PODCAST
  • BOOK CLUB
  • PARTNERS
    • DIRECTORY
    • PROFILES
    • JOIN US
  • EVENTS
    • EVENTS CALENDAR
    • EVENT ROUND UP
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
    • Cart

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In