Flexibility what you need to know

If bending over to touch your toes seems like an impossible task, it may be time to start thinking about increasing your flexibility.

From breathwork to stretching to strengthening, focused effort just a few times a week can make a significant difference in how flexible you feel.

Flexibility v mobility

Flexibility is the ability of your muscles and other connective tissues to stretch temporarily - Mobility is the ability of your joints to move freely through a range of motion (movement) in a pain-free way.

Good mobility and good flexibility go hand in hand - but being flexible doesn’t mean your mobility is up to par, and vice versa.

Flexibility is just one piece of the mobility puzzle.

Why flexibility is important

At its core, flexibility is important for everyday life.

Think about bending over to pick up the laundry or reaching for something high on a shelf, if your muscles are inelastic & tight, tasks like these will be much more complicated.

Flexibility is also needed to release muscle tension and soreness as well as to promote relaxation. It’s hard to get comfortable if your body constantly aches!

It can also improve fitness, muscular strength, and endurance, allowing muscles to complete the full range of motion (mobility) for maximum effect.

You can increase your flexibility by incorporating a combination of breathwork, static stretching, and dynamic stretching (stretching with movement).

Adding strength training can further improve both your flexibility and mobility.

10 minutes a few times a week can make a big difference, If you already have an exercise routine, try adding a short session of breathwork and dynamic stretching before a workout and static stretching afterward.

You may also consider making stretching part of your morning or bedtime routine.

static stretching - stretching without movement ie holding a stretch

dynamic stretching - stretching with movement ie doing a hula movement with your hips

breathwork - a variety of breathing exercises done especially for relaxation, meditation, or therapeutic purposes