Flexibility plays an important role in your overall health and fitness conditions. But, know this: being flexible does not necessarily mean that you are able to make a pretzel form out of your limbs and body. It does not only mean that you can easily bend your upper body all the way to your feet. Apparently, being flexible largely emphasizes your ability to overcome any form of injury and the like.

By and large, it is highly unlikely for you to experience injuries when you are flexible. And this is just one of the many benefits of being flexible. In fact, having a great bending ability has a lot of positive effects on your posture, health, fitness, and lifestyle. Hence, these are the reasons why you can easily improve your way of living.

Aside from preventing injuries, you bending abilities are an important aspect to your core strength. Also, it corrects your overall form including your neck, back, hips, and shoulder. So, if you want to improve or increase your flexibility, these are some ways that you can do:

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   Follow a workout with light static stretching

When you are done with your exercise routines and workout sessions, try to incorporate much longer static stretching before you do your cool down. These static stretching positions do not need to be complicated. In fact, you can do any traditional static stretching.

Also, choose a position wherein it will focus on the muscles that you fully worked on during your gym session. This will stretch and lengthen your muscles efficiently. Also, include the areas where your muscles are tight. Normally, this would include the hips, chest, and back.

2. Try yoga and pilates

Yoga and Pilates are becoming more popular in the recent times. And this is not only because celebrities and personalities are teaching several classes, but because these sessions are found to provide several benefits to the health and body.

In terms of flexibility, yoga and pilates are pretty great choices to focus on. Apparently, these two routines largely focus on improving flexibility and strength. Although there are slight differences between the two, they both are good options to increase flexibility.

You can choose to do one of the two or you can do both. It’s basically up to you. On a daily basis, you can do a few yoga positions and a few pilates routines. You can also do it in your own home which is one of the great things about yoga and pilates. The only thing you need to have is a smartphone application like weight loss doctor or other yoga and pilates-related applications.

3. Incorporate massage

Another best way to increase your flexibility is to have a massage regularly. In actuality, a great massage session will break knots and ties in your muscles and tissues. When these knots are removed, it will be much easier for your muscles to be stretched and moved around.

Although good and simple massage sessions are enough, having a weekly serious massage therapy with a specialist can be much beneficial. Also, try to incorporate a few foam rolls on your body before and after you hit the gym or do your workout.

Moreover, choose to have a massage session that will focus more on the areas where your muscles are tight. Normally, these muscles groups are found on your calves, lats, upper back, quads, and thighs. When these muscles are straightened out, it will be much easier for you to move and be flexible.

4. Learn to breathe properly

Breathing properly is also a great way to increase your flexibility. Although it may seem very unusual, it is important for you to note that the way you breathe has a huge impact on your fitness, health, posture, and flexibility. In fact, improper breathing can cause difficulties and challenges in your mobility.

This is also the reason why proper breathing techniques are taught in yoga and pilates.

You can start to practice learning the right way of breathing by simply focusing on your belly button. When you breathe, try to feel it all the way to your diaphragm. Accordingly, make sure that the belly button moves in and out in line with each breath you make.

Do this every day for five to ten minutes.

5. Consider acupuncture

According to the recent research and studies made by scholars, acupuncture can be a great help in increasing the muscles’ range of motion. Essentially, the range of motion is the aspect responsible for flexibility. So, when you lack enough figures for your body’s range of motion, it can be difficult for your muscles and joints to stretch out.

Muscle stiffness is usually the main cause of a decreased range of motion. Thankfully, it has been found that acupuncture can relieve the stiffness that normally occurs in the muscles. So, the next time that you feel that your muscles are too tight, try considering to have an acupuncture session.

Now, when you want to increase your flexibility or your ability to bend efficiently, these are some helpful ways that you could apply on a daily basis. But, this won’t happen in one day or one week of sessions. It may take time. But, surely, you will improve eventually and effectively.