Hypermobility, Yoga & Healing: Finding Strength in a Bendy Body

Jelena Lepesic
Aug 30
2 min read

WHAT IF YOUR FLEXIBILITY WASN'T A PROBLEM - WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR PATHWAY TO STRENGTH?

That’s the truth about hypermobility. Many of my clients and students are labeled bendy, flexible, double-jointed. Some feel unstable, others get injured, and many wonder why their yoga practice feels so different from everyone else’s.

The good news: there’s nothing “wrong” with you. Hypermobility simply means your body works differently, and with the right tools, you can build incredible resilience.

WHAT HYPERMOBILITY REALLY MEANS?

Hypermobility isn’t about being “double jointed.” It’s about ligamentous laxity—joints that move beyond the typical range. This can be influenced by:

Bone shape and shallow sockets
Collagen structure (looser ligaments)
Muscle tone (often tight and weak at the same time)
Reduced proprioception (awareness of where your joints are in space)

This doesn’t make you broken—it just means you need stability before you stretch.

SIGNS OF HYPERMOBILITY

Some common signs and side effects include:

Achy or unstable joints
Early arthritis or recurring injuries
Headaches, dizziness, or digestive issues
Cold hands and feet
A hard time knowing when to stop in yoga postures

In class, it often looks like: elbows or knees that hyper-extend, hands easily touching the floor, or constant readjustments because “something feels off.”

RETHINKING THE LABELS

Hypermobile yogis are often misjudged as lazy, weak, or show-offs. The reality?

They’re dedicated—showing up again and again, even when practice feels hard.
They’re strong—but their joints sometimes hide it.
They’re focused—searching for sensation and stability, not just depth.

What they need most is guidance and clear cues—not to be left on their own.

5 KEYS TO PRACTICING SAFELY

If you’re hypermobile (or teaching someone who is), here are five essentials:

Micro Bend – keep a soft bend in your elbows and knees, avoid hanging in joints.
Breathe with Movement – never hold your breath while moving; breath is your stabilizer.
Stabilize First – engage muscles around joints before deepening into postures.
Squeeze & Pump – try light isometric holds (squeezing) or small isotonic movements (pumping) to “wake up” muscles before stretching.
Balance Work – standing postures build awareness and joint stability when practiced with mindfulness.

TOOLS THAT HELP

Osteopathy (METs): resistance + stretch techniques that build proprioception.
Core Work: Pilates or therapeutic exercises to connect the trunk with the rest of the body.
Bands & Blocks: simple tools for muscle activation and stability.
Heat & Rollers: warmth relaxes overly tight muscles; foam rolling helps release tension safely.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF STRENGTH

Hypermobility is not just about joints—it’s a whole-body, whole-being experience.

Yes, bendy bodies face challenges: instability, pain, fatigue. Yet those same challenges often lead to resilience, focus, and creativity.

If you’ve ever thought, “Something’s wrong with me,” know this: nothing is wrong with you. Your body simply speaks a different language. The practice is learning how to listen.

READY TO MOVE BETTER, BREATHE DEEPER, LIVE VIBRANTLY?

This is exactly why I created Pranacore—a practice that blends osteopathy, yoga, functional strength, and breathwork into one powerful system.

If you’re hypermobile, bendy, or simply want to feel stronger and more stable in your body, Pranacore will give you the tools to build resilience and reclaim joy in movement.

👉 Join a class, book a session, or learn more at pranacore.com