Double Jointed

My question revolves around one of my students who is double jointed. She's young, 14-16. I asked her if she was double jointed after class one day, in private. She wasn't sure, but thought so. She always seems to be in hyperextension. Instead of her arms lengthening out to the sides, they bend curving backwards. Her knees are 'double' jointed as well. Does anyone have any suggestions about directing her, or hints that I might offer her. Even when I mention to keep the joints soft, it's quite difficult for her. Any recommendations?

Thank you, love and blessings, Rosa

ANSWERS:

From Iswari Brockschmidt, Seattle, grad. 2002:

I am very flexible (although not sure if I am not completely double jointed). For my own personal practice I have learned several things that have been helpful:

Support: Rolled up blankets. Examples where I've used support: Paschimotanasana (posterior stretching pose): If I prop my bottom up to keep my back in alignment my knees hyperextend. A rolled up blanket is important under the knees. Jathara Parivartanasana (supine twist): When I twist to the side my limiting factor is not my muscles but my hip joint. Because of the weight of my leg and knee over to the side and weak ligaments I can feel pain in the hip joint itself. Using a rolled up blanket under my bent knee protects my hip joint from overextending.
Strength: When I first started practicing yoga postures (long before I was a teacher) I felt frustrated that most yoga was focused to narrowly on 'stretching'. What I needed was to focus on building strength and control. The beauty of yoga is that stretches and builds strength! When I started practicing with an awareness of the qualities of strength and control in holding a pose, rather than 'how far physically can I go' I really found my practice deepening.

From Sally Jo Beck:

How about attempting to explain the concept of energy traveling through her body, radiating outward from the magnetized center. explaining that she has the potential to direct energy straight outward through her finger tips and up toward the sky, or down toward earth, etc. depending on posture. if she tries to imagine energy or power emanating outward in a straight line, maybe she can begin to feel what it is like to keep joints "soft" and in alignment, which we know will further strengthen her ligaments and help correct hyperextension. help her try to visualize light or color or energy moving through her arms and legs in a straight line and beyond, out into space.

Hope this helps, sincerely, a fellow yoga teacher.