Bend and Balance: Making Flexibility a Fitness Foundation
Bend and Balance is a fitness foundation that focuses on improving flexibility and overall muscle balance. This foundation utilizes a variety of tools and techniques to help individuals achieve their desired level of physical fitness. It combines self-stretching, dynamic stretching, patterning exercises and activation drills to increase mobility and reduce muscle tension. Bend and Balance helps strengthen the core and tone muscles, while emphasizing proper form and safety. Additionally, this foundation encourages the development of posture and alignment through the use of bodyweight exercises, balance movements and mindfulness exercises. The ultimate goal of Bend and Balance is to help unlock each individual’s physical potential and achieve a greater level of overall health and wellness.
The Power of Flexibility
When we think of fitness and health, flexibility often takes a back seat to aerobic exercise and strength training. However, becoming more flexible can seriously boost our overall fitness, leading to improved athletic performance and increased movement access in the future. In order to make flexibility a fitness foundation, understanding its power and importance is the first step.
When we become more flexible, we are better able to access deeper ranges of motion in our muscles and joints. Doing so reduces our likelihood of feeling tightness or developing muscular imbalances over time. This can be especially advantageous to athletes who are looking to build muscle size, speed, and power. Being able to move freely through a greater range of motion and access previously body areas can take performance to the next level.
Furthermore, with increased flexibility comes improved flexibility. Stretching the muscles allows them to be better able to relax and lengthen, which leads to increased joint stability. With increased stability, activities like standing, walking, and running become easier and more comfortable. Having sufficient balance is especially important if we want to stay efficient in our daily activities.
Increasing Balance for Strength
Aside from improving joint stability, increased flexibility can provide a much-needed foundation for our overall strength. According to the American Council on Exercise, “increasing flexibility and range of motion enables us to lift more weight, with better form, generating more strength gains.” When practicing resistance training and weight lifting, having a better range of motion at the start of an exercise can help us perform the exercise more efficiently. It can also help us to stay safe from injury due to over stretching and tension on the body.
Moreover, increasing our range of motion can help us feel more relaxed and energized both during and after physical activity. A relaxed and open body is better able to access its natural energy, allowing us to really engage in each exercise and get the most out of our workout. This can lead to improved performance, improved posture and breathing, and better overall wellbeing.
The Benefits of a Flexible Foundation
The physical benefits of flexibility are evident, but it's important to consider the mental and emotional benefits, too. A wide range of motion leads to an increased sense of ease and flow in physical, mental, and emotional activities. With increased flexibility, the body is able to move with less effort, allowing us to stay in the present moment and take pleasure in movement.
Flexibility also leads to improved sleep and relaxation, as tightness and tension can easily interfere with restful sleep. Plus, spending time on developing our flexibility can be a very calming and meditative activity that allows us to truly relax and let go.
Overall, making flexibility a fitness foundation can offer huge physical, mental, and emotional advantages. Not only will we increase our range of motion and balance, but also experience a greater sense of ease, energy, and calm. When combined with aerobic exercise and strength training, making a flexible foundation can lead to a truly well-rounded approach to a healthy lifestyle.