WHEN A FRIEND shared her Yin Yoga assignment, it got me thinking about why I fell out of love with yoga because of what yoga has become. It happened when more people started doing it, expecting something akin to acrobatic Instagram yoga.
And we’ve all seen that beyond-bendy yoga influencer or teacher who can effortlessly contort their body while simultaneously smiling for the camera. But it’s not the level of flexibility or health ideal anyone should strive for.
They assume that “flexibility” and “mobility are interchangeable when there is a big difference between them.
Flexibility vs Mobility
To have good mobility, you do need good flexibility. But it’s essential to understand the difference between flexibility and mobility:
Flexibility is a muscle’s ability to lengthen passively or without engagement. You’re working on muscular flexibility when you perform static (holding still) stretches using body weight, limb support, or props.
Mobility, however, is related to the joints and their ability to move actively through their full range of motion. Think of lifting your leg in the air to a 90-degree angle and bringing it back down again. That’s active mobility.
Dynamic moving stretches work on joint mobility by simultaneously tackling flexibility, strength, and stability. An easy way to test the difference between flexibility and mobility in your own body is to raise your knee toward your chest. Your hip mobility is defined by how far your knee travels without assistance.
Then, place your hands on your knee and actively pull it closer to your chest. This stretch shows your overall flexibility in the hip. Dynamic moving stretches work on joint mobility by simultaneously tackling flexibility, strength, and stability.
It’s a common misconception that flexibility is necessary for overall health. There’s no proof that flexibility has any real health benefits when it’s not combined with strong, mobile joints. In some cases, flexibility can do more harm than good. Instagram and fitness trends often focus on how “pretty” or “impressive” flexibility looks, meaning there is no emphasis on mobility training.
If you tend to stretch your muscles by holding poses for up to 3-5 minutes) you may need to pay attention to your mobility.
If you’re in your 20s or 30s, you may think that joint mobility isn’t something you need to worry about. However, lack of physical activity and stress can influence our mobility at any age.
By incorporating dynamic stretching instead of static, you’ll activate and strengthen all the muscles needed to move a joint through its range of motion. This creates muscle balance and reduces the risk of injury.
The benefits of dynamic (or active) stretching
Dynamic stretches use repetitive movements that take your muscles and joints through their full range of motion. It involves actively contracting your muscles throughout the movement as opposed to passive stretching, where you relax into the position.
Research has shown that you can improve your sports performance and help prevent injuries by including dynamic stretches in your warm-up routine. This is because dynamic stretching activates your nervous system and muscles, improving your joint movement, muscle flexibility, and balance and control.
Static stretching as a warmup before activity has been demonstrated to impede explosive muscular action, which could be highly detrimental if you participate in sprinting or competitive sports.
Improve your posture.
If you have joint immobility, your posture may deteriorate since imbalance is connected to a lack of joint mobility. It is easier to maintain proper posture with strong muscles around the joints.
According to one study, pelvic mobility may be related to good spinal posture. Another study discovered that hip immobility can impair the lumbar spine’s natural curve.
As a result, frequent postural issues such as slumped shoulders, an arched spine, and a compressed neck occur. Chronic aches and pains in the lower back, neck, and shoulders can result from poor posture.
You may encourage improved natural posture and lessen the aches and pains you experience daily by including dynamic stretches for joint mobility in your regimen.
Improve your mobility.
Joint mobility controls and coordinates some of our basic, everyday movements.
It may be tough to conduct daily activities if you have limited mobility. This is because a lack of joint mobility makes it difficult to complete active activities without discomfort.
You may educate your muscles to be flexible enough to grasp that dish that’s just out of reach or to extend your arm above your head to reach the top shelf in the kitchen by working on mobility.
Stress reduction
Static stretches, such as a forward fold or a half-split stretch, may have a contemplative impact on the mind. Surprisingly, the effects of dynamic motions are more potent.
The practice of practice Meta-Age mobility, meditation, breathing, discipline, and resilience can relieve stress.
Physical autonomy
It is common for joint mobility to deteriorate as we age. Eventually, the joints might become so restricted that ordinary activities such as walking, standing, and holding objects become more accessible to perform with assistance.
The sooner you begin improving your mobility, the better. Around the age of 30, the natural mobility of the joints begins to diminish. You can extend your physical independence by including mobility training into your regimen now.
