# Opinions wanted - want to increase my flexibility **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 20, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-want-to-increase-my-flexibility/536743 "2010-04-20T14:45:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-want-to-increase-my-flexibility/536743/1 "2010-04-20T14:45:11Z")
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…? ---
**Author:** ![breaking-reality](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a8b319/32.png) [@breaking-reality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breaking-reality)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-want-to-increase-my-flexibility/536743/2 "2010-04-20T15:12:24Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-want-to-increase-my-flexibility/536743/3 "2010-04-22T04:07:14Z")
Watch the video ‘Cold Potato Salad’ for inspiration. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-want-to-increase-my-flexibility/536743/4 "2010-04-22T11:50:15Z")
Last fall I started stretching 20 minutes a day. I was seeing more flexibility and less pain. Alas, I let it slide and need to get back to doing it! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-want-to-increase-my-flexibility/536743/5 "2010-04-22T12:18:52Z")
Yoga. Just regular, good old yoga. You’ll be putting both your feet behind your head in no time. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-want-to-increase-my-flexibility/536743/6 "2010-04-22T12:36:30Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-want-to-increase-my-flexibility/536743/7 "2010-04-22T16:25:33Z")
> [@Autolycus](#): > > Watch the video ‘Cold Potato Salad’ for inspiration. SOLID potato salad! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-want-to-increase-my-flexibility/536743/8 "2010-04-22T19:30:05Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-wanted-want-to-increase-my-flexibility/536743/9 "2010-04-22T19:55:11Z")
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.