Hey!! I’m excited to talk about finding flexibility before and after your yoga practice! No matter if you’re a brand-new yogi or a well-seasoned, veteran yogi — you may have started to notice how flexibility interacts with our practice. Think of this as a little convoy about how maximize flexibility both before and after yoga and why not maximize our time held on our mat?
Why Flexibility Matters in Yoga
Before we get started, let’s have a quick convoy about the meaning of flexibility in the yoga universe. Sure — flexibility may make you think of a bendy-seeming yogi who looks effortless shifting from posture to posture; however flexibility represents so much more than doing the perfectly aligned split or reaching your toes. How can we enhance mobility, support our joints and prevent injury when going into that pose we love?
The Pre-Yoga Flexibility: The Warm-Up Secret
Picture this: you just rolled out your yoga mat after a long day, the light is perfect, and your body hears the call of, “Let’s stretch and flow.” But, wait—before we get to those deep stretches, we need to do some warm ups and essentially prepare your body first. Think of the warm up as the warm blanket that warms up the soup before it’s served.
To get this flexibility flowing, I suggest you start with some very light movements. The very least you could do is some cat-cow stretches, gentle torso twists, shoulder rolls, etc… just help your body wake up. You may even want to perform some sun salutations to get the blood flowing and blend dynamic movements with static stretches in the warm-up process. This warm-up not only gets your muscles prepped, but there is a psychological effect that helps build the mind and body connection which is so critical before diving into a full yoga practice.
self-care routine: My Favorite Pre-Yoga Routine
Okay, time for a little story. I’m going to tell you a secret; I’ve never been the most flexible person through my yoga, and the first time I ever tried to touch my toes, I felt like a pretzel gone horribly wrong. I finally found a pre-yoga routine that actually does wonders for me. I do slower stretches and deeper breaths, mainly on those areas that are usually tight; my hips and hamstrings are my weaknesses. This routine can totally change the way yoga feels for me.
Post-Yoga Flexibility: Soaking in the Goodness
So afterwards… wow! What an experience! So you’re floating while you walk on that cloud of zen, but don’t just jump off yet! Post-yoga in this moment remains the best time to actually lean into those stretches you’ve been holding because you were working just moments ago.
After class, I usually do a handful of extended stretches for the stiff spots I just worked on. For instance, I might do a reclined pigeon pose to release my hips or just a good forward fold to release my spine. Taking the time to hold those postures longer than you might have before, during, or right after class is totally worthwhile!
Celebrate the Process, Not Just the Goal
It is important to remember that flexibility is about more than just arriving at the goal; it’s about the process! Remember to celebrate the small wins, no matter how trivial. Maybe today you can touch your toes a little easier than yesterday! Maybe that glorious upward dog did actually feel a little more glorious today! Celebrate every small moment as a victory.
Also, remember that flexibility is a practice, a commitment to yourself and your body every single day. Some days you will feel like you can fly, and some days you might feel like you can barely shuffle, and that is perfectly fine! Just allow yourself grace, breathe through the sticky spots, and enjoy the beautiful connection that yoga allows us all to create in our lives.
Final Thoughts
As we close out, let’s all commit to embracing flexibility, and implement it every day, finding flexibility before and after your yoga practice! Not only will it lead to better poses, and greater connection to the practice as a whole, it will empower our bodies in daily life. Who wouldn’t want to bend down to pick up a dropped pen without the feeling of being a stiff board?
So roll out your mat, find your flow, and remember: flexibility is a journey. Please enjoy every turn!
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