https://open.spotify.com/episode/2LpgFN1nDo4Xv1HNBayRTM?si=0a02e57f908e40b6

Estimates range from around 1 in 10 to 1 in 30 adults being hypermobile in one or more of their joints, meaning the joint has a greater range of movement than what is considered “normal”. Linked with differences in collagen, in turn affecting ligament strength and stability, hypermobile joints can overextend or even dislocate. There is a spectrum of hypermobility syndromes which also includes Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.

A common way to manage hypermobily syndromes is strengthening of the joints via physical exercise, which can include pole training or aerial classes.

Ex-dancer, and pole, aerial and flexibility instructor Caitlin chats to us and shares her lived experience of both dancing and training pole and aerial with hypermobility. We talk about her early days of literally bending over backwards for claps, to finding out more about what made her so flexy, and adopting strategies to look after her body and mega-bendy joints! Caitlin is now a very vocal proponent of how to work safely with hypermobility and how to incorporate strengthening your joints at any stage in your training.