Over many years of personal practice and teaching, I’ve explored a wide range of approaches to yoga postures. One of my early teachers, Bikram Choudhury, strongly emphasized locking the knee in standing poses. Over time, however, I witnessed countless students and teachers struggle with recurring aches, pains, and injuries.
The issue, in my experience, is that this approach doesn’t adequately account for healthy biomechanics. It places too much emphasis on achieving the shape of a posture rather than experiencing the process of moving into it with awareness and integrity.
A local teacher here in Salt Lake City, Adam Ballenger, offers a clear and thoughtful explanation of how to keep the body active, grounded, and expansive rather than collapsing into the joints. His approach encourages stability, strength, and sustainability in your practice.
If your teacher is asking you to supinate your foot excessively, hang into your joints, or rely solely on willpower to fight gravity, it may be worth exploring other perspectives. A yoga practice should support your body’s long-term health, not wear it down.
Enjoy!
