Mat Matters, Episode 50: On Locking the Joints (Hint: Don't Do It!)

If you've been in my class in the past 3-4 months, I'm sure you've heard me harping on this subject...I'm a joint locker, you're a joint locker, we're all joint lockers!

Well, actually, you might not be, but a lot of my students are, so if you're not sure if you are or not, it's worth thinking about and/or watching this epi.

I discuss it in the video and I've said it many times in my classes and who knows, I may have even mentioned it in a past video or two, but locking the joints--especially in weight-bearing poses--puts too much pressure on the joints! 

Think about your poor little elbows: are these tiny joints meant to support your body weight for a chunk of time every day while you're in down dog? No! They're meant to help you move and bend your arms. So why would you want to make them do all of the work when you're chillin' in adho mukha or plank? 

That's what we discuss in today's video. I won't give it all away here, but suffice it to say that although this video isn't sexy, it's very necessary for all my joint locking and/or double-jointed sistas [and brothas]. 

Give it a watch! You can view it here or on my YouTube channel (where you can subscribe to ensure you never miss an episode...and where you'll also be able to catch the next episode of MaleBox, if I can *ever* get Ben to put aside the time to tape another one...sigh). 

Happy elbows = happy arms = happy practice = happy yogi = happy you!

Enjoy :)

PS. Episode 50!?!? That's bonkers. Thanks for watching me babble on and on for so many minutes/hours!