We all understand that exercise is fundamental to a healthy life. Many of us have experienced how regular activity enhances our strength, cardiovascular health, mood, and energy levels. However, if we feel sore, stiff, or tight—making even simple movements painful—we're likely to become less active. To increase our movement, it's essential that we learn to move well. Stretching helps train our bodies to move more effectively.

In our fast-paced world, the importance of movement for our health and longevity cannot be overstated. However, fitting exercise into our daily schedules can be challenging. We are all aware of the benefits of physical activity, yet it often ends up at the bottom of our to-do lists. This isn't because we don’t want to exercise; rather, it frequently feels like the one thing we can skip. We can’t skip getting up and getting ready, preparing the kids, going to work, cooking dinner, tidying up, cleaning, or helping with homework and other responsibilities.

Understanding the difference between passive and active stretching is fundamental to maximising the benefits of your stretching routine.

Static Passive Stretching: involves holding a stretch position for 2-5 minutes while remaining passive. This type of stretching is beneficial for improving flexibility by gently lengthening muscles and increasing range of motion.

Dynamic Active Stretching: what you often see runners do before a race. This is great for neuromuscular activation but has very little to do with gaining flexibility.

To stretch effectively, it's essential to have a good understanding of movement. Our bodies are designed to move in various ways, and each movement pattern involves different muscles and joints. By knowing how these elements work together, you can target the right areas and stretch more efficiently.

Efficient stretching means focusing on the quality of each stretch rather than the quantity. Incorporate a variety of stretches into your routine that cover all major muscle groups. Hold each stretch for at least 2 minutes and ensure you breathe deeply to facilitate relaxation and better muscle elongation. Remember, it's not about forcing your body into extreme positions but gently encouraging it to reach its potential.

As we age, our bodies naturally become stiffer, which can limit our mobility and affect our quality of life. The old adage "use it or lose it" rings particularly true when it comes to flexibility. If we don't maintain our range of motion, simple tasks like looking behind us, reaching for something, sitting up, or standing up can become challenging. This decline can prevent us from enjoying activities we love, such as swimming, biking, or running.

I experience that often people who aren’t doing much for their health can manage until they reach age 50. Between 50-60 years of age, something happens, a quicker decay, suddenly these people that I before thought looked so young compared to their age, can’t walk properly, generally movement and cardio become challenged. But there is another way forward, we just have to walk it. 

Regardless your age, you can easily find more range of motion than you have right now and become more flexible, by simply practicing the science of streching.

The good news is that we can do a lot to stay flexible and strong regardless of our age. Stretching regularly can help counteract the effects of ageing and keep our bodies supple and agile. It's never too late to start stretching and working towards your flexibility goals. With consistency and the right approach, you can improve your flexibility and maintain your independence and quality of life as you age.

I have designed my in person Yogazise classes for beginners it has a all the best bits of Yoga but with the fundementals needed to start you on your path.