7 Foundational Practices for a Life of Thriving Part 3: Flexibility/Mobility Training
Flexibility/Mobility Training
Benefits:
- Maintain Full-Range Mobility Throughout the Lifespan
- Body Feels Good – Corporal Well-Being
- Overcome Injury
- Increase Bodily Awareness
- Increased Energy and Focus
- Improved Posture
- Practice Overcoming Resistance
Mobility is a big deal; a lack of it in our elder years is perhaps the quickest way to burden our families and perhaps even require going into assisted living. The foundation of good physical health includes mobility, strength, and endurance. The next section will address strength and endurance, but mobility deserves emphasis on its own terms.
Of all the mobility practices, perhaps yoga provides the most complete and established approach to all around health and mobility. If taken in its original context, considering all 8 branches of yoga, it extends beyond body postures and even offers insight into the nature of the mind. A traditional yogic practice pertains to all areas of the life. However, even in the western context of practicing body postures, it gives us an excellent opportunity to take the awareness and focus of meditation into our waking life.
Personally, I find a morning routine of 30-40 minutes of meditation and 20-30 minutes of yoga an ideal start to the day in terms of being focused and productive all day. It gives me an edge because I’ve already faced my egoic “monkey mind,” and then worked on my overall range of mobility. I then walk out into the world feeling aligned physically, and aware when my mind urges me towards various activities or distractions.
For those who are uninterested in yoga as a practice, consider Kelly Starrett’s mobility workout of the day. It’s a series of exercises specifically designed to help people maintain a full range of motion and most of them take less than 10 minutes per day.
Further Resources:
- Becoming a Supple Leopard by Kelly Starrett
- Daily Mobility workout by Kelly Starrett
- Free Morning Yoga Instruction: 10 Sun Salutations
***Mobility Challenge***
Complete 15-30 minutes of the above yoga instruction or Kelly Starrett’s Daily Mobility Workout every morning. If you are new to these practices, you can start with these short routines and later advance to other longer routines which are also available through the above links.
For the fourth Foundational Practice for a Life of Thriving click here.
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