Maintaining a good range of motion through flexibility

I have a new found love for being able to sit down cross legged – meditation style – after barely being able to tie my own shoe laces in the last trimester of my pregnancy.

Perhaps referring to my body as being rather flexible is a bit of a stretch (pun intended) but I pride myself in being capable of touching my toes without bending my knees which must count for something, right?

Although I’ve never tried gymnastics or ballet, I’ve always been fascinated by people who can do a split without batting an eyelid.

Maintaining a Good Range of Motion

Flexibility enhances your quality of life and the older you get, the more important it is to maintain a good range of motion in your joints.

It’s not something that solely reserved for dancers and gymnasts and, in fact, limberness can be incorporated into your daily life through stretching and yoga.

Don’t worry if you can barely get both elbows to touch at this point in time because flexibility is something you can train your body to adopt with practice. And at the end of it all, you may still be unable to touch the back of your head with your heel but at least you’ll have improved the movement in your joints to some degree.

Benefits of flexibility

  1. Helps improve your posture and muscular balance especially if you happen to have a desk job or commute for long hours.
  2. Elongates muscles for a leaner look.
  3. Aids with post-workout muscle fatigue as well as sports performance since your limbs are extended.
  4. Reduces and/or prevents back pain by ensuring muscles in your lower body aren’t too tight.
  5. Improves circulation of nutrients and blood in your body.
  6. Allows for more playroom in the bedroom. I mean, need I say more?

Here is a quick and easy video on flexibility for beginners:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7lLpNLzJ-g

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