Enhance your flexibilty and reduce stiffness with this yoga technique, as detailed by a yoga instructor
In the realm of fitness and wellness, a new method known as intuitive stretching is gaining traction. This innovative approach to stretching, championed by experts like yoga instructor Janet McClure and women's health and longevity coach Katie Armstrong, emphasises listening to one's body's needs and responding with movements that address tightness, asymmetry, or nervous system regulation.
At its core, intuitive stretching combines twisting, stretching, and breathwork to help shift the body into a state of relaxation, promoting the parasympathetic nervous system's rest, digest, and safety mode. Unlike traditional stretching routines, intuitive stretching is a method of responding to one's body's needs in the moment, without adhering to a specific routine or pose.
One popular stretch in intuitive stretching is twisting. Master Pilates instructor Melody Morton-Buckleair recommends starting with twisting, as it helps calm the nervous system. To perform a twist, one should fully engage the transverse abdominis on the exhale, which, interestingly, massages the enteric nervous system in the gut and stimulates the vagus nerve. This engagement, when combined with emptying the lungs, can provide a profound sense of relaxation.
Experts engaging with intuitive stretching include sports medicine professionals like Dr. Paul Schmidt-Hellinger, who discuss sustainable training foundations, and yoga instructors offering workshops focusing on body awareness, muscle strengthening, and breathing techniques that relate closely to intuitive stretching approaches. Psychological insights into stretching's effects on the brain and anxiety have also been explored by researchers such as Sergei Pankov.
The beauty of intuitive stretching lies in its adaptability. As our bodies' needs and limitations may change day by day, it's essential to explore what works for one's body and learn to find the edge of one's flexibility from a place of embodied mindfulness. This practice is similar to a self-practice in yoga, where one moves their body in a way that feels good to them, rather than following a class or a specific type of flow.
Some individuals may incorporate intuitive stretching movements into their routine after discovering them through yoga poses. Stretching is a common action performed by many individuals upon waking up, and incorporating intuitive stretching principles into this routine can help address tightness, asymmetry, or nervous system regulation in the body.
In conclusion, intuitive stretching offers a unique and personalised approach to relaxation and wellness. By listening to our bodies and responding with movements that feel good, we can promote a state of calm and relaxation, while also addressing any lingering tension from staying still all night. If you're looking to deepen your practice and connect more deeply with your body, intuitive stretching may be worth exploring.
Read also:
- Dinesh Master's Expedition: Acquiring Mango Orchard through Our Online Platform
- Solar panels decreasing expenses and aiding ecological preservation
- Expanded Plant-Based Protein Industry Forecasted to Reach a Value of $30.8 Billion by 2034, Growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.1%
- Job Opportunity: Position for Senior Research Fellow at NIPHM
