Becoming, or Staying, Flexible and Limber - the Easy Way

Probably the most insidious and debilitating effect of the aging process is the slow, steady loss of flexibility.  

We all lose flexibility as we get older. A lifetime of activity causes micro trauma and scarring in our muscles, which in turn makes the muscles shorter. Connective tissues – ligaments, tendons and fascia – stiffen. The cartilage that helps keep joints smooth becomes compressed, or may even wear away in the overused joints, such as the knees and hips.  

Ligaments, tendons and cartilage are made up of collagen – which gives them strength – and elastin – which provides elasticity or stretch.  Over time, the ratio of collagen to elastin increases – which means a reduction in flexibility and range of motion.  

Here’s the good news: you can slow down these processes by being active. Even more exciting, you can actually reverse age or injury-related stiffness and decreased range of motion…but only if you are smart about how you exercise your muscles and joints.  

If you take a little time – as little as a few minutes each day – to do the right kind of stretching,  you can be as flexible as you want to be – regardless of your age or injury status. 

Functional Flexibility 

Flexibility exercise is extremely important to anyone who is training or participating in athletic activities, or wishes to remain physically vibrant and active, even into old age.   

Functional flexibility helps improve performance as well as prevent injury. Flexibility provides important general benefits as well. The ability to relax, stretch and expand the chest, elongate the spine, and keep muscles and joints loose and moving freely, is important for overall well being.   

A good flexibility routine helps improve your posture and movement. It helps to reduce and even eliminate nagging pains caused by back, leg and shoulder tightness.  Tightness in the back and shoulders is a common side-effect of the stress and tension that so many of us face every day. And the prolonged sitting (at work, in the car, on the couch at home) contributes to ever-increasing tightness and loss of movement ability.    

When you stretch correctly, you should feel great when you’re done: relaxed and loose, but also energized. In fact, I tell people that, even if you only have time to do some deep breathing and flexibility exercise each day, you will still benefit enormously.  

One of the little understood and rarely taught keys to improving your flexibility - quickly and easily - is to combine effective flexibility exercise with coordinated breathing.  

This type of approach helps you to relax. It helps you “feel” your body—the muscles, ligaments and joints, the tight spots, etc. This enhanced body awareness enables you to establish more control. Control and relaxation through proper flexibility training translate to greater control mentally and emotionally. Your ability to relax and become calm, as well as mental clarity and focus, are improved.   

Dynamic Flexibility 

Let me tell you about one of my most popular programs: Dynamic Flexibility: The Secret to Healthy, Pain-Free Joints, Limber Muscles and Maximum Mobility.   In this program, you will discover how to use your breathing to enhance the effects of your flexibility exercises. 

I created this program with two primary things in mind: simplicity and results.  

There are literally thousands of stretches you could do. And there are a number of different methods of stretching. It’s easy to get lost in all the complexity and simply give up.  

Most people do not stretch enough, because they don’t enjoy stretching. Many have been taught that stretching involves holding uncomfortable positions for long periods of time. How boring! Yet, the “twist into a pretzel and hold for three minutes” approach is not necessary for acquiring phenomenal levels of limberness and functional flexibility.  

Most of us have also been taught to do static stretching (where you hold a stretched position) before physical activity, as part of our warm up…and when our bodies, muscles and joints are relatively “cold”. This is only partially correct and actually is a major cause of injury.  

This is truly unfortunate, because improving your flexibility in an effective manner is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health and energy.  

In Dynamic Flexibility, I share with you a better, more results producing, AND more enjoyable way to improve your flexibility, as well as the health of your joints. I cut through the complexity and boil it all down to two major types of flexibility exercise, each with its own unique benefits. And I tell you exactly how to incorporate each type into your daily routine or fitness program.  

This is a program that will not take up a lot of your time…but, within a few weeks, will repay you many times over in improved joint health and range of motion, reduced aches and pains, better posture, and confident, powerful movement. I encourage you to read more about it at the Dynamic Flexibility page.  

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Copyright Karen Van Ness. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any portion of this article is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of Karen Van Ness and KVN Enterprises.

Source: Visit www.BestBreathingExercises.com for more information.

 
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