| A small guide that goes a long way | | | | achieve flexibility. |
| Flexibility is generally defined as the range of motion of | | | | Few exercises to increase flexibility: |
| the joints. It is the ability to bend and stretch easily | | | | Spine, trunk turning- Stand straight with legs apart. Your |
| without too much effort. Flexibility depends upon | | | | hands should be behind your head and start leaning |
| various factors like the state of the joints, muscles, | | | | forwards. While doing so your legs should be stable. |
| length and looseness of muscles, shape of bones, age | | | | Try and bring the right elbow in front of the body to |
| etc. Some medical conditions like arthritis can affect | | | | touch the left knee such that your trunk rotates. Return |
| flexibility. | | | | to normal position. Perform with the other side. |
| This flexibility can be attained by effective exercise | | | | Spine, extension- Stand with feet together, hands |
| and also through yoga. Stretching is generally done to | | | | upwards. Now step one leg forward and |
| increase flexibility. Flexibility can be best gained by | | | | simultaneously move your upper body and head |
| performing stretching exercises which may include | | | | backwards. Return to start position. Repeat with the |
| exercises of back, neck, shoulder, wrist, legs etc. If | | | | other leg. |
| exercise is done in a proper way it is observed that a | | | | Spine, lateral flexion- Stand straight with legs apart and |
| person with a rigid body before starting exercise will | | | | both hands behind the head. Now slowly start bending |
| have gained flexibility of almost every part of his body | | | | your right elbow towards the outside of your right |
| with regular practice of exercise. | | | | knee. Repeat with the other side. |
| Some benefits of flexibility can be as follows: | | | | Posterior thigh stretch- Sit on a bench with your right |
| - Flexibility allows the body to move freely without | | | | leg straight on the table and your left leg resting on the |
| much effort for activities like bending, stretching, | | | | floor. Now lean forward towards your right leg until you |
| dancing etc | | | | feel a stretch in your knee and calf. How the position |
| - Flexibility exercises help to reduce muscle soreness, | | | | for some time. Repeat with the other side. |
| tension and muscle tear if done with properly | | | | Neck stretch- Sit or stand straight with your arms |
| - Flexibility exercises also help reduce the chances of | | | | hanging loosely at the side of your body. Now slowly |
| injuries | | | | turn your head towards one side. Hold for a few |
| - Flexibility exercise helps improve the join function | | | | seconds and then turn to the other side. Repeat 3-4 |
| - Decreased recovery time | | | | times. |
| It is said that flexibility decreases with age but it is also | | | | The above are a only few exercises. There are lot |
| true that flexibility can be attained at any age provided; | | | | more flexibility exercises for different parts of the |
| the exercises are done in the right manner. With | | | | body. A person can choose the exercise as per his |
| regular exercise, even a less flexible person can also | | | | requirement. |