UPDATE: Flexibility and You Workshop Postponed

The flexibility workshop on the 14th at Get Jacqued Fitness is being postponed. “I’ve had many requests to have it in the New Year as the Christmas season is so busy and they just can’t make it,” shared Ocean Massey. “Please reach out with a preferred date in the New Year if you would like to see me offer this workshop!” Email Ocean at: makewaves.therapyfitness@gmail.com

Read Below For Another great article by Ocean Massey of Make Waves Therapy & Fitness

Flexibility & You

Now that winter has arrived the body feeling cold and stiff is inevitable. It is important to stay active throughout the winter rather than hibernate. Stretching and working on your flexibility is an easy method to help you stay active, improve your wellbeing as well as stay warm and mobile in the comfort of your home this winter season.

What is flexibility?

The ability to move muscles and joints throughout a full range of motion. It can help improve your performance, posture, and body alignment. Flexibility also decreases risk of injury and promotes efficient movement. “Flexibility decreases with age, impacting your ability to perform daily tasks and participate in hobbies or other activities you enjoy” (Bailey, 2023).

What factors affect your flexibility?

Unfortunately there are uncontrollable factors that can affect an individual’s flexibility. These factors are:

• Age & sex
• Joint structure
• Genetics
• Previous Injuries*
• Alignment*

There are also factors that are controllable that can affect an individual’s flexibility which are the following:

• Activity level
• Resistance training
• Previous Injuries*
• Alignment*

You may be wondering why previous injuries and alignment are under both categories and this is due to people’s lifestyles. If they keep up with regular maintenance on their bodies through massage, chiro or seeing a physiotherapist or athletic therapist to help rehabilitate their injuries these factors are more controllable. When injuries and alignment is ignored your flexibility may be limited due to pain and restriction which leaves activities or exercises to be modified.

How do I improve my flexibility?

The short answer here is to stay active, the more active you are the more blood flow that occurs and this increases your muscles elasticity. The more complicated answer is to follow a stretching plan and follow it daily. When you start stretching you want to hold your stretches for a minimum of 30 seconds and target all the following areas: neck, shoulders, forearms, hips, back, ankles and calves. When you are more comfortable with stretching then start increasing the time you hold them for. You want to try and hold them for 2 minutes or longer.

What if I am injured and want to improve my flexibility?

If you are injured you should book an appointment with a healthcare professional to fully understand the extent of your injury and what activities you should and should not be doing. “If a muscle is poorly rehabilitated or used before it is completely healed, a second tear can then cause serious problems” (Delavier et al, 2011). You can also improve your flexibility while injured by avoiding a painful range while stretching and target other areas in your body until the injured area is healed.

I want to learn more.. Where should I start?

If you want to learn more about these concepts and create a personal flexibility plan join Ocean Massey for a flexibility workshop! This workshop will take place on December 14th at 3pm at the Get Jacqued studio in Kindersley! We will target hamstrings, quads, hip flexors, adductors, glutes & back.

Click the link to book directly online: https://makewavestherapyfitness.janeapp.com/locations/get-jacqued/book#staff_member/1

OR send Ocean an email at makewaves.therapyfitness@gmail.com

References & Sources for more information:

Bailey, A. (2023, August 29). Why is flexibility important?. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-is-flexibility-important-7567252 

Delavier, F., Clémenceau, J.-P., & Gundill, M. (2011). Delavier’s stretching anatomy. Human Kinetics.