Stretch! The Importance of Mobility

Yoga is phenomenal. My old social studies teacher (hi, Mr. Schmitz!) always joked that yoga is for tree lovers and hippies. He was completely kidding, mind you. And that's good, because if I hadn't known that he was teasing, I probably would have boldly contradicted him - for a change. You see, I believe that everyone can benefit from stretching their body. According to the article "The Importance of Stretching" from the Harvard Health Publishing, "Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints." Moreover, yoga and mobility exercises can be both meditative and fun! In my experience, yoga is a stress reliever and increases my awareness of the world. Now, dear reader, please answer me this: why would anyone avoid an activity that is healthy, challenging, AND fun? Entertaining and rewarding? I just don't get it. So, Mr. Schmitz, if you're reading this - maybe give it a try? Here's why you should engage in a few downward dogs this evening, according to Jessica Matthews' article "10 Reasons Why You Should Be Stretching":

• Your stress levels shall decrease. "Regularly stretching has been shown to reduce mental tension and, when combined with mindful breathing techniques, may also help to decrease anxiety and depression" (Matthews). Less stress is a thing of importance to me. With crazy quantities of homework, drama club rehearsals, cooking, chores, exercising, tap dancing, sleeping, and you know, breathing, stress is rather abundant in my life. When I'm feeling a bit frazzled, I seek refuge with my old, teal yoga mat. It's my most valuable possession and has this uncanny ability to always make me feel better.

• Yoga and stretching = healthier you! Matthews explains "Regularly performing stretching exercises, such as PNF stretching, static stretching, and stretches from mind-body disciplines such as yoga, can help to reduce blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate, counteracting the body’s physiological responses to stress and muscular tension." Personally, I am willing to do a few Sun Salutations every morning to improve my general health. No, yoga isn't a magic pill. But it is a piece of the puzzle, when combined with eating well, exercise, hydration, and sleep.

• And now, for my very favorite: "Although there are physiological changes that occur as we grow older, regularly stretching and performing range of motion exercises can improve flexibility at any age, helping to increase longevity and enhance overall quality of life" (Matthews). Life is a beautiful thing, my friend. It has its ups and downs, undoubtedly. But on the whole, it is a miracle that we wake up every morning, breathe in the cool air, and experience everything from making a salad to scaling the stairs of the York Minster. It's easy to forget the joys of life when we become wrapped up in stress and day-to-day wear and tear. Doing some yoga after a hard day certainly makes me appreciate everything and everyone I have in my life. It gives me perspective, and to be frank, I can't ask for much more than that.

Those points are pretty convincing, huh? And they say nothing at all about the joys of moving one's body to increase flexibility. Yoga truly deserves all of the acclaim it receives from health nuts. Interested in stretching? Here is a chart for beginner's yoga poses I got from Pinterest. It was pinned and created by Fitwirr.com. My very favorite on this graphic would probably be cobra - there is nothing like a good back stretch! I do apologize for how big the poster is. 

There you go, reader. No more excuses. You've got the benefits, and you've got a good variety of poses. Now, shoo! Go roll out your yoga mat and have some fun stretching. It is fun. I promise, Mr. Schmitz. 

Lots of well wishes, my yogi friends!

-Maya

Photo by i yunmai on Unsplash, Photo by kazuend on Unsplash

Photo by Jennifer Regnier on Unsplash, Photo by Julia Caesar on Unsplash, Chart by Fitwirr.com