ON HYPERMOBILITY AND STRETCHING

Hey there, if we haven't met yet, I'm Mandee and I am a Pilates Instructor that has been working with Hypermobile/hEDS students for many years now.

Here’s my two cents on this hot topic of Hypermobility and Stretching:

Many with connective tissue disorders like EDS, HEDS, or hypermobility have a big range of motion in their joints and yet many often still feel the desire to stretch because it feels good. I’ve often heard that my students are told NOT to stretch as they already have the mobility they need and it could cause injury. I hear this concern, especially since the connective tissues may already be more prone to injury due to their laxity. But we should first ask- do the muscles have the stability and

strength to support the stretch? If so, it could be ok! It’s not all about WHAT we do but more about how we execute. The ‘stretch’ feels different when we’re in a supportive range. It feels solid and like the puzzle pieces are in the right place. We can use Pilates to find proper alignment and then strengthen in order to give the connective tissues the support they need to find balance when stretching.

Pilates has so much dynamic stretching going on within the system of exercises anyway. Dynamic stretching is supported and active, a lengthening of the muscles with support, not static holds. I’ve found that my students can satisfy their craving to 'stretch' with Pilates exercises especially when they have my eyes on them giving feedback about form and technique, and as they improve their own proprioception. Those guardrails can help keep them from overstretching or ‘hanging off their joints’ as I like to say. I can help you pinpoint which parts of the body are extra mobile and which are tight. One of my favorite teacher’s used to say we need to learn to ‘stabilize the give and mobilize the restriction’. Over time, my guidance helps improve my student’s body awareness so students can become more independent with Pilates. With practice moving mindfully, your proprioception will improve and you'll have a better idea of where you are in space and what the proper range for stretching really is for YOUR individual body.

Are you hypermobile and interested in getting some guidance on finding proper form and technique so you can satisfy your urge to stretch with better awareness? This is just one of the things we cover in the Pilates for Hypermobility Course. This course is offered 2-3 times per year and the next one is coming up!

If you're a past participant of the course, feel free to take it again or come join me in one of ​my online classes OR my new in-person small groups. ​The small group atmosphere of all of my classes are a great spot for the Hypermobilie community. The individual attention and guidance is just what we need to improve our proprioception!