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LONG TERM EFFECTS OF INFLEXIBILITY

WHEN YOU WERE A KID YOU DIDN'T NEED TO STRETCH. WHEN YOU WERE A TEENAGER YOU SHOULD HAVE STARTED BUT WOULD BE FINE WITH OUT IT. IN YOUR 20'S YOUR FLEXIBILITY WAS THE LEAST OF YOUR CONCERNS. THE MORNING AFTER YOUR 30TH BIRTHDAY INFLEXIBILITY STARTED TO SHOW UP. NOW YOUR SOMEWHERE PAST THE POINT OF MOVING WITH EASE AND WONDERING HOW YOU BECAME SO INFLEXIBLE?


Eddard Stark

WHAT IS FLEXIBILITY?

You hear people talk about being flexible and inflexible but do you actually know what that means?

Flexibility is the range of motion in a joint or group of joints or the ability to move joints effectively through a complete range of motion. 

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s report on physical activity and health, flexibility is defined as ” a health-related component of physical fitness that relates to the range of motion available at a joint.”

When this health and range of motion decreases we become inflexible. Reflect back to how you used to move 5, 10, 15 years ago…was it easier? If the answer is yes then you have lost some flexibility.

RANGE OF MOTION

The range of motion each part of your body has can also determine how flexible or inflexible you are. Each joint and each group of muscles in your body might have a different range of motion (ROM) or a different level of flexibility. If areas of your body feel very tight, your muscles will feel short and restricted.

Some areas of your body may feel very loose and you may be able to lengthen and move those muscles freely.​ Perhaps this is your hamstrings, your shoulders or your hips.

While other areas of your body might feel restricted and tight. You might be able to touch your toes really easily but going into a backbend might be really difficult.

This is telling you your ROM isn’t balanced through the body.

3 TYPES OF STRETCHING THAT CAN HELP INFLEXIBILITY

  • Static Stretching: This style of stretching moves you into a position that lengthens a target muscle. This works best if you hold the position for at least 60 seconds. You want to remember to breathe as you hold each stretch, slow exhales
  • Dynamic Stretching: This style of stretching has you move in and out of a position that lengthens a target muscle. Dynamic stretching involves moving through a joint’s full range of motion (ROM) either slowly or quickly to mimic a functional activity (walking, running, getting up or down).
  • Active Isolated Stretching (AIS): This style of stretching has you move your joint through a complete range of motion, holding the endpoint only briefly, then return to the starting point and repeat. Athletes and active exercisers use active isolated stretching to prevent injuries or muscle imbalance.

WHAT ARE THE LONG TERM EFFECTS OF INFLEXIBILITY

When we don’t continue to work on our mobility, flexibility and range of motion we find moving, day to day activities and sports more difficult. 

  • injury 
  • limited movement
  • unbalanced muscles 
  • strength loss
  • abnormal stress on tissues
  • tendonitis 
  • osteoarthritis 
  • poor posture
  • loss of confidence
Copy of YOGA MEMBERSHIP 1 1

HOW TO IMPROVE FLEXIBILITY

A consistent yoga practice is one of the best ways to improve your range of motion and mobility. Whether you are brand new to yoga or have practiced many classes you can find a class that fits you. 

My online Yoga Membership provides a large range of classes from restorative, to yin, to workshops, to vinyasa flow and finally meditation and yoga nidra.

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If you’re REALLY SERIOUS about improving your flexibility than GRAVITY YOGA is for you! 

This is targeted mobility training that can be done 15 minutes a day to see drastic changes to your Range of Motion. You will hold static posture stretches for up to 5 minutes. This is not an easy practice but creates flexibility quickly that can help with ease of moving and prevention of injury.

Meegan Bradley

Meegan Bradley

Yoga Trainer & Wellness Coach

Find Out More

A transformational yoga class that takes you from beginner to confidently attending any yoga class! 

Want to be able to practice yoga consistently? Can’t always make it to a yoga studio but want to be able to practice yoga on a regular basis or even when you’re on holiday? Join the Yoga with Meegan membership for £15 a month and get access to: restorative yoga, vinyasa yoga, meditations, nidra, workshops and posture breakdowns.
Struggle to squat? Can’t get comfortable in a back bend? Splits – NO WAY! Pigeon pose brings tears to your eyes? Want to find more space, improve your yoga practice, get moving in a way that is comfortable and easy? THIS IS YOUR COURSE! In this course you will have timed dedicated classes with only three postures. These will focus on time under passive tension, a Gravity Yoga principle, relaxing into the postures and breathing.
Feel like you’re always stuck in mode negative? Are you not getting what you want out of life? Do you struggle to live your life with an abundant mindset or even know where to start? In this course I take you through some of the practices I do that help me maintain this positive and abundant mindset. Don’t worry some days it will slip but you never lose the progress you start making.
Monday at 8am and Thursday at 6pm. To the left of Walpole Tidal pool. Bring a mat and some water. All levels welcome! Bring your swimming costume if you fancy a swim after!
Looking for a bespoke yoga session for yourself? Not sure where to start? Dream big about what you want from exercise, yoga or your body and let me plan a bespoke yoga course for you. Think beyond the body and let’s focus on the mind and the heart. Choosing to invest in yourself with 1:1 sessions is exactly what you need! Feel empowered in your body, inspired by what you can achieve and connected to a teacher who really cares.
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