🧘‍♀️ Flexibility and Mobility: Moving with Freedom and Ease

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Oct 22 (edited) • Workout Ideas

I got to the gym today and it felt like everything was so stiff maybe even a little bit painful (a bit different than soreness)... that got me thinking that I probably don't spend enough time on helping my flexibility and mobility....

Our bodies are meant to move, stretch and twist... But for most of us, current life often consists of us sitting, rushing, or disconnected from how our body feels and what it actually needs. Improving flexibility and mobility is not about touching your toes or doing splits though it may lead to that. It’s about feeling free and comfortable in your own body. It's about allowing our bodies to be functional and move with more ease.

💪 Flexibility vs. Mobility

While I thought that these were interchangeable, they're actually not quite the same.

-Flexibility is about how far your muscles can lengthen.

-Mobility is about how well your joints move through their full range of motion.

You can be flexible but still have poor mobility, and the goal is to build both together for a body that feels balanced and resilient and functional. :)

🌸 Benefits of Flexibility and Mobility Work

-Less muscle tension and stiffness (this is what prompted this post today!)

-Better posture and alignment

- Reduced risk of injury

- Improved balance and coordination (guilty of needing help in this area too!)

-Easier everyday movements-from getting up off the floor to reaching high shelves, we want functioning bodies. :)

🔑 Ways to Improve Both

Move Daily: Even gentle movement counts. Walking, stretching, and mindful mobility work all keep joints healthy.

2.Warm Up Before Stretching: Stretching cold muscles can cause strain. Start with light movement to increase blood flow.

3. Incorporate Dynamic Stretching: Try controlled, flowing movements like leg swings or arm circles before workouts.

4.Add Static Stretching: AFTER Exercise hold stretches for 20 to 60 seconds when your body is warm. Focus on breathing slowly. (studies are showing that static stretching before workouts/competition actually decrease muscle strength and power)

5.Try Mobility Flows: Yoga, Pilates, or simple mobility drills help your body learn to move fluidly through its full range.

6.Listen to Your Body:Never force a stretch. Sensation is good, pain is not. This also helps us become more attuned to our body's signals. :)

7. Stay Consistent:A few minutes a day works better than a long session once a week. Small, regular habits create lasting change.

💭 Mind-Body Connection

Flexibility is not only physical. When your body becomes more open, your mind often follows. Releasing tightness in the body can help release emotional tension too. Our emotions are not just abstract things that we think about...we feel them. IN OUR bodies...

🌼 Therapist Reflection:

Your body carries your story, your stress, and your strength.Caring for it through movement (and just generally how we treat it--e.g.food) is not punishment- it's alignment, attunement, healing...

Question to ponder:What type of movement makes your body feel the most free right now?

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