Overcome Inflexibility with Yoga
Is inflexibility a barrier to yoga? This is a common myth that needs debunking. Let us delve into the concept of "flexibility" to understand it better.
It is true that male bodies are generally less flexible than female bodies, owing to evolutionary factors. However, improving flexibility can benefit both genders by enhancing their strength, longevity, and overall health.
Improving flexibility reduces the risk of injuries. Imagine your body as an elastic band. The more it can move, the less likely it is to be damaged. This is why top athletes often practice yoga or devote a significant amount of time to stretching before and after high-intensity training, as it improves their physical performance.
Increased range of motion protects your joints and bones. Consider your lumbar spine (lower back) – the more flexible your hamstrings are, the more range of motion you can achieve. Most people have had issues with their spine muscles, but regular yoga strengthens and lengthens these muscles. When combined with increased range of motion, it gives your spine a strong foundation for a healthier life.
Yoga also promotes increased muscle blood flow, which has a myriad of benefits. Improved blood flow to the brain can enhance cognitive function and mitigate symptoms of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. It may even have the potential to slow down the aging process of the brain and delay dementia. Regular yoga practice helps the lymphatic system, which eliminates waste and toxins from the body. Movement is crucial to the circulation of lymph fluid throughout the body, and yoga facilitates this rejuvenating movement. Moreover, most yoga classes activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and promoting the production of vital thyroid hormones while pumping oxygen-rich blood to your body and circulating nutrients throughout your system.
Therefore, if you consider yourself inflexible, you should still attend yoga and reap the numerous benefits it provides, including but not limited to:
• Better posture.
• Fewer injuries.
• Improved athletic performance.
• Increased range of motion.
• Better circulation.
• Expanded flexibility.
• Greater physical performance.
• Greater strength.
• Pain reduction.
• Relaxation and relief.
• Easing back pain.
• Reduced stress.
• A positive state of mind.
• Improved performance of daily activities.
• Enhanced mobility.
• Better muscle coordination.
• Relief of muscle cramps.
Important! Care must be taken if you have hypermobility. On this occasion we would strongly advise care and caution. Instead of muscular relaxing (a common instruction in Yin yoga), they could be helped by an approach of engaging muscles. Hence why we would advise to perform stretches and yoga practices under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
In conclusion, flexibility is not a prerequisite for yoga. By regularly practicing yoga, you can improve your flexibility, range of motion, blood flow, and overall health. We would love to help you to do just that at the Yogalina Wellness Centre. Start with a private yoga class to define your needs and goals, and we will tailor specific program just for you!