04/12/2025
Letās talk about muscle engagement vs. dumping into your joints ā and why it matters.
True muscle engagement means activating the muscles intentionally to support your movement and maintain healthy alignment. Itās what creates strength, stability, and long-term resilience in the body.
Dumping into your joints, on the other hand, is when you rely on passive structures (like ligaments and joints) to hold your weight instead of using muscle support. It can feel like youāre āgoing deeperā into a stretch or pose, but over time, it creates instability, pain, and even injury.
Engagement doesnāt mean āflex everything all the timeā ā it means mindful activation where your body is working with you, not against you.
This is one of the key things we focus on in yoga therapy: learning how to move with awareness, build strength safely, and reduce unnecessary strain on the body.
Your joints arenāt meant to carry the whole load. Thatās what your muscles are for.
Letās use Skandasana (Side Lunge) as an example.
In the first photo, Iām low to the ground, forearms down ā and completely passive. It may look like Iām ādeepā in the pose, but Iām actually collapsing into my joints. Thereās very little muscle support, which means my ligaments are holding the pose. That might feel stretchy in the moment, but it can be risky over time.
In the second photo, Iām upright and engaged.
ā¢ My glutes, core, and inner thighs are active
ā¢ My spine is tall and stable
ā¢ My body is supported by strength, not just flexibility
ā¢ Iām protecting my joints and building resilience
This is what muscle engagement looks like ā and why itās essential.
Want to learn how to move like this in your own body? Thatās what yoga therapy is all about.
