Stay Flexible
Posted on April 1, 2013 by bob in Moving Free
We’re staying more active as we age. That’s a good thing. We’re stronger, we have more energy and we’re less prone to disease than our parents and grandparents were. We’re living longer and enjoying better quality of life. But one problem that remains largely un-addressed is maintaining flexibility as we age.
It’s great to be strong, but if you can’t reach up and get a jar out of a cabinet, or bend down to pull on your socks, you’re still kind of helpless. Most of us have gotten stiffer with age and we haven’t done anything about it. The good news is a few simple stretching exercises, regularly performed, can help you keep the flexibility you have and restore a lot of the youthful suppleness you’ve lost. The neck and back are particularly problematic. Here are three easy exercises you can do daily for upper body flexibility maintenance.
Neck Stretch — Side of Neck
Place right hand on top of head.
Gently pull head sideways, stretching neck towards the right shoulder.
Hold for 10-20 seconds.
Repeat on other side.
Diamond Stretch — Shoulders, chest, upper back
Raise arms overhead linking hands together.
Slightly bend elbows.
Gently move elbows back.
Hold for 10-20 counts
Cobra — Whole back and neck
Lie on your stomach, hands palms down on the floor, shoulder width apart, about even with your neck.
Keeping your hips on the floor, hands in position, shoulders relaxed, slowly raise your upper body up.
Look up and hold for10-20 seconds.
Slowly lower you body back down and repeat.
Mirabai Holland M.F.A. is a leading authority in the Health & Fitness industry. Her Moving Free® approach is designed to provide a movement experience so pleasant it doesn’t feel like work (www.mirabaiholland.com).
