Keep this in mind if you are a hypermobile yogi.

It’s tough to increase flexibility, but hypermobile people will know that sometimes, flexibility isn’t a blessing. To the bendy, it’s even harder to gain sufficient strength to control your softness.

(Also read: 5 Tips to Get Into A Deeper Full Dancer Pose)

What is hypermobility?

You are considered hypermobile when your joints easily move beyond the range of movement. This can include knees, fingers, hips and elbows.

Being hypermobile allows you to be more flexible because the joints have a greater range of movement. Your body is able to bend deeper than most because there is less resistance in your way.

(Also read: Running on Softer Surfaces Does Not Mean Less Impact on Your Joints)

Being hypermobile comes with cons, too

It might sound delightful to be hypermobile because of the opportunities flexibility provides. However, bending farther requires more strength to hold the pose and to return to your original pose.

Many hypermobile yogis often have to train harder to gain strength and stability. They may also face muscle and joint pain due to the lack of control hypermobility creates.

This is especially true in the case of knee pain from placing most of the weight into your heels as you lock your knees. It can also occur in the elbows when they’re hyperextended in yoga poses, and in the back during backbends.

(Also read: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Yoga)

Preventative measures you can take

Hypermobility is not something curable. In fact, it doesn’t need to be cured as there is nothing wrong with having it. You just have to move in and out of poses carefully and with control.

When you’re doing stretches, avoid holding them for too long as that can cause pain in your hypermobile joints. Always make sure you do them with sufficient support to ensure you aren’t going too deep into the pose.

Be sure to engage your muscles to do a pose safely, instead of dropping into it and flopping out of it. If a pose causes you discomfort, there are always modifications that can be made. After all, yoga is meant to alleviate pain, not cause it.

(Also read: 5 Best Stretches to Achieve Side Splits)