Have you ever used the graph for posing?  I find it is a better way of posing figures.

If you are using direct minipulation with the mouse, you will find it is the worst way to pose.  It may seem faster but trust me, it isn't in the long run.  Using the wheel to pose is OK if you take the time to go in and adjust the settings of the sensitivity.  Usually when you download a prop or figure the settings are like 1.0000 ot greater.  For fine tuning I set the sensitivity to .001  Again it depends on what you are posing.

You will find that no matter which way you pose, except using a BVH file, that any change will cause ripples.  This is why I use the graph so that I can see the ripples and nip them in the bud before it ruins the who pose.

Let me know which manner of posing you use and I will try to give you tips that might make that way easier, except for direct minipulation, that I can't help you with.