How to Improve Flexibility

Stiff muscles and body often lead to several injuries. Inflexible body puts a lot of restrictions on your movements and can result in muscle pain if you stretch it too much. However, having a flexible body is very important, since we need to stretch our body in several ways while doing daily activities. If you don't have a naturally flexible body, then exercises can be done for improving flexibility of the body.

How to Improve Flexibility
You can perform certain activities that improve flexibility of the body. These activities can be performed in the confinement of your home and won't take more than 10 minutes. Since, these exercises to improve flexibility can be performed at any time during the day, you won't have to alter your schedule. Just make sure you leave a gap of at least an hour between your last meal and workout.

Forward Bending
Stand in an upright position with your legs together. Now, slowly raise you hands forward and try to touch your toes. Stretch your hands only as long as you are comfortable. Maintain the position as long as you can. Repeat this exercise 3-4 times in each session. Over the time, you'll find that you can bend down with more ease.

Sideways Bending
Stand upright with your legs apart. Keep one hand on your waist and raise the other hand and try to bend it sideways. Stretch your body sideways as far as possible. Then, reverse the position of the hands and repeat the exercise, now, with your body bending in the opposite direction. Repeat the exercise 3-4 times on each side.

Calf Stretching
Stand upright with your legs together. Elevate your body by standing on your toes. Hold the position for a few minutes. Repeat it several times a day.

Hamstring Stretch
Stand upright with your legs apart. Bend one leg at knee and grasp your foot with one hand. Press it against your buttocks. Now perform the same exercise with the opposite leg and hand. Repeat 4-5 times, every session.

Tips for Stretching Exercises

• Do not begin stretching exercises before warming up your muscles. Brisk walking, jogging, cardiovascular exercises etc. help warming up your muscles. Exerting cold muscles may invite an injury.
• Gradually increase the frequency of stretching exercises as well as the holding time for each stretch.
• Make sure you are not dehydrating yourself during these exercises. Drink ample water before you begin with the stretching exercises.
• Breath deeply and evenly throughout the session. Many people inadvertently hold their breath while stretching. Remember, the oxygen that you breathe while stretching, directly goes to your muscles.
• Know your limits. Do not stretch your body to the point that it becomes very uncomfortable or painful.

Besides the above exercises to improve flexibility, you can also opt for dancing or yoga exercises. Dancing, in fact, is the best way to improve flexibility of the body. Aerobics, is yet another way of improving flexibility of the body. Basically, any form of exercise helps you to improve your flexibility.