3 Ways to Improve Your Flexibility
By Genevieve Cunningham
Flexibility is an important part of a healthy body. It's way more important than most people realize. Though many carry out regular exercise routines in order to protect their health, we often forget about maintaining or deepening our flexibility. In fact, stretching before or after a workout is a rare occurrence for many adults. But flexibility is key to mobility and injury prevention, and unfortunately, we lose it naturally as we age. So what can we do to protect our bodies? To improve your flexibility and feel good in your body, take a look at these three ways to improve your range of motion starting today.
Foam Roller
We often think of using foam rollers when we're injured or sore, but they can be beneficial to healthy muscles as well. Use a foam roller while you're watching your favorite show, and then follow your rolling session up with a little stretching. The foam roller will warm and loosen your muscles to make the stretching session easier. This is a really good, really effective, really comfortable way to lengthen the muscles and build flexibility.
Yoga
Let's not forget the king of flexibility: yoga. Yoga is easily adapted to meet each person's needs, which makes it an excellent overall choice. If you want to join a gym and class, go for it. Most gyms now offer yoga classes of some sort. Or if you'd rather go your own way, check out YouTube for some instructional videos to follow along with. The key to gaining flexibility is sticking with it, so stick with it long-term to see the biggest results.
Partner Stretching
Sometimes getting a little help is a good idea. When it comes to stretching, grab a partner. You can help each other by gently pushing or pulling on the body to deepen the stretch, or you may help each other balance, or even just give each other support. Choose someone who makes you feel good -- a sibling, best friend, or someone fitness-minded. If you like the idea of a little company on your journey, then finding a stretching partner is a good place to start.
Flexibility is certainly important. When we lose flexibility, all movement becomes more difficult. It becomes painful. Use these tips to improve your flexibility, and enjoy a healthier, more comfortable body moving forward in your life.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Chesterfield, Mo.