So, I started yoga in 2000 – for the same reason many people come to my classes now – because I felt stiff and inflexible.

But what causes this common phenomenon of feeling stiff, achy and ill-at-ease in our bodies?

It’s partly about tight muscles. But it’s also about the tightness of the joints themselves.

Stiff muscles and joints lead to discomfort in the body which we brace ourselves against – leading to more tightness, especially as this tends to be accompanied by shallow-breathing. Add to the mix anxiety and stress and we end up feeling as if we’re tightly bound by ropes and afraid to move!

Of course, this is where yoga comes in to the rescue.

Yoga stretches and lengthens the muscles, encourage us to breathe deeply, contributing to  that delightful sense of release and relief at the end of our yoga practice.

However, many yoga practices are based on constant flowing movements. This is great for the muscles, because muscles love to move.

But it overlooks the joints themselves. Read more…