Optimal Yoga: Joint Freedom
Joint Freedom is the Key to Resilience
With Doug Keller
Although we tend to focus on muscles in yoga stretches and asanas, the key to muscle function as well as freedom from injury lies first in the joints.
We will deeply explore the role of ‘joint play’ in yoga practice, including warm-up and ‘joint-freeing’ exercises that will improve muscle function in the major areas of the body. Joint dysfunction is the original source of muscle stiffness and joint pain (which is often written off as osteoarthritis), and improvement of function goes a long way in reducing or resolving these problems.
We’ll be exploring common yoga injuries and pain problems as being rooted in joint dysfunction, and how to improve joint function in practice to reduce these injuries and to help heal old ones. We’ll cover the major areas of the body, from the feet, knees, and hips, to the low back, arms, and shoulders.
For yoga teachers and inquiring students
Overarching Theme of this Weekend Series:
Our bodies and minds are in a constant process of change throughout our lives, and each stage has its own challenges and opportunities. This much becomes clear as we mature. And our yoga practice evolves with us, becoming all the more insightful. A truly ‘optimal’ yoga meets us where we are in life, supporting us and addressing obstacles as they arise.
Aging is a natural process, and the downside of this process involves increasing inflammatory conditions in different forms that not only cause pain problems, but also reduce resilience and vitality. This can begin as early as one’s 30’s.
The body has natural built-in mechanisms to counter these inflammatory conditions, and they are all linked to the kinds of movement, breath, and practices of mental focus that are the essence of yoga practice.
This training is about refining these practices to derive fully from them the benefits that they offer.
Through the lens of practice, we’ll be exploring a range of topics, from the central role of joint health and freedom, to principles of ‘fascial fitness’ that refine our approach to ‘stretching’ and strengthening in yoga, to the deeper systems that maintain our resilience and vitality, and are supported by breath and mental practices. A new dimension of this will be to explore the role of mudra in providing support and focus in breath practices especially, refining their effectiveness and benefits.
The themes will be rolled out progressively over the three days, though it is possible to register for single days. All elements of practice will be included in each day!
Doug came to teach hatha yoga by way of meditation and years of academic study: philosophy, both western and eastern approaches spirituality, anatomy, movement and yoga. Doug’s depth, intelligence and accessibility for translating hard concepts into digestible ones is profound.
Don’t miss these other sessions with Doug:
Friday, 10 October:
Joint Freedom is the Key to ResilienceSaturday, 11 October:
Fascial Fitness in Asana Practice: Resilience and VitalitySunday, 12 October:
The Deeper Practices of Mudra and Drishthi
Details & Sign up | For Friday Session:
Date: Friday 10 October 2025
Time: 11.30-18.30
Location: Studio Fly | Croeselaan 209 | Utrecht
Prices: Early bird:
€85 until 1 July
€99 until 1 Sept
€115 Regular
Get the whole package: All three days & sessions
Prices: Early bird:
€235 until 1 July
€277 until 1 Sept
€325 Regular
This course offers continuing education hours if you are a yoga professional. YACEP CE=6
*We are CRKBO certified and therefore no vat.
about the teacher:
