I really want to increase my flexibility and as I am not right now able to engage in running (due to an unrelated health issue) I thought now would be a good time to investigate some other exercise activities.
I have very little flexibility and as I am a runner, it’s not really improving as I age. Specifically my hamstrings/legs, but want to improve overall
I am looking for opinions/anecdotes on what the teeming millions think may help improve things.
Hot Yoga, Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates…am open to suggestions…?
I would recommend yoga if you’re just looking to increase flexibility. I don’t run at all, but when i was doing yoga 10 minutes every morning (I should really start that again) I was tons more flexible and less stiff on average.
I’m sure you can look up specific stretches for the hamstrings/legs as well, which would probably help more than just doing yoga.
Yep, yoga. I don’t like the quasi-religious aspects and do not use it for meditation, and was able to find a local class that wasn’t too spiritual and slow-moving for me. I like Anusara the best as it focuses on gaining flexibility and strength while maintaining proper alignment to avoid injuries.
I used to be one of the most inflexible people I know. A year of regular yoga, and while I still have areas where I am tight and always will be (hips and ankles in particular, but I’m working on full lotus and full split), I am now more flexible than most. And I’ve been able to maintain my gains even though I don’t do yoga 3x weekly any more.
As a bonus, it makes you stronger (unlike plain streching). Body weight exercises are the best.
I’d like to get more flexible, too. I feel like my joints are stiffening up!
But going to a yoga class would be difficult. I can’t find one in my area that I wouldn’t have to skip work to attend. Are there any books/videos/websites that can help without a class?
You might see if any of your friends have the P90X DVDs you can borrow to look at. Disc 4 is yoga and disc 7 is stretching. About an hour for each workout and you can do them whenever is convenient.
They can usually be found individually on eBay for only a few bucks.
