Uh.... am I hypermobile?

[palominocorn]

...being able to hold your leg behind your head while standing isn't normal either?

...or being able to do a ninety degree side kick?

...or touching the top of your head with your foot (I could probably do behind head with six month's daily practice)?

What next, are you going to tell me people don't sit in the lotus pose for fun?

Comments

[pebblerocker]

... Only ninety degrees?

I can't do the other things now at age 40, but easily could in my teens. Still can get fully down in the splits without stretching first, both sides (but never had side splits at all). Can easily lock hands behind my back, one up one down - can hold my wrists on the better side. I generally prefer half lotus for sitting because it's easier to get out of.

I have a history of wrist injuries but seem to be going fine now that I have a job that doesn't aggravate them constantly and I've built up my strength with a lot of dumbbells.

[palominocorn]

Ninety degrees while keeping your torso vertical and your other leg straight. I thought that was like... normal stretchiness. But according to everyone I asked (including a physical therapist) that's hypermobile.

Hypermobility is related to more injuries but you should do your own research re: what's up with you exactly.

[pebblerocker]

I've had physios tell me emphatically that I don't have hypermobility and others talk about it like it should be obvious to me that I do. And I've had yoga classes where I can't figure out the purpose of a pose because it doesn't remotely stretch me and I don't know what part of me should try to move further - and the teacher doesn't have enough range of motion to demonstrate.

I'm pretty sure the wrist injuries were due to hypermobility, but I've otherwise been lucky and I think mine is on the low end. Discovering strength training really made a difference.

[palominocorn]

Yeah, strength training and lifestyle changes (mostly "stop stretching that far") are the first prescription for hypermobility related pain.

Talking to my PT, I've learned that I have slightly hypermobile knees and elbows, and VERY hypermobile hips. I think my fingers and wrists (which is what they'll test first) are normal, so I guess it can vary between joints.