How To Reach Your Stretch Goals And Increase Flexibility

Strrrreeeaaaccchhh up.  Hold and release.
Feels nice to stretch flow doesn’t it?

​Hold on a second…...stretching and nice do not go together.  Those tight muscles and tendons hurt!  

However, this does not have to be the case. In fact, stretching should not be painful.  Becoming more flexible should be an enjoyable and even relaxing experience.

Stretching releases your body’s natural immunity boosting happy friends, known as endorphins. These tingly little guys are known to lift your mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. Happy and yoga are 2017’s hottest trends. And to even those of you who beat to your own drum, who doesn’t want to be happier? Nurturing new rituals is one of the this year’s top ways to jump on the happy wagon and radiant some delicious self-love.

Houston, let me tell you the top 6 reasons you need a stretch flow yoga class in your life ASAP.

Benefits of Stretching 101

Short Term

1. Energy:  Fatigue is a commonplace concern that stretching does wonders for.  Stretching revitalizes tired bodies and increases blood and oxygen circulation. Instead of your regular morning cup o’ joe, try some sun salutations. Your body will thank you and so will your wallet.
2. De-Stress: Stretching relaxes tight muscles by increasing blood flow through the body. Keep in mind stretching should not hurt. If it does, then this is a perfect opportunity to seek some professional, healing coaching.  
3. Sleep better:  Work out cramps and tightness before you go to bed for a more restful night sleep. Pro tip:  you can use your bed as a yoga mat to do some simple wind down stretching prior to falling asleep.

Long Term

1. Know yourself: Incorporating a daily stretch flow class into your life will put you in touch with your body.  Cultivating a meaningful relationship with your body is fundamental. It supports the development of an internal, all-natural mechanism to let you know when you need to rest and when you are good to go.
2. Detox: Our bodies easily become worn down by pollutants, greasy food, and bad habits. Stretching works to refresh the body and purge out pollutants.  
3. Strengthen: By stretching muscle, strengthening is promoted. That’s it. More wiggle room means more space to grow taller, stronger, and confident.

Ok, that’s all great. You’ve decided to try out a stretch flow class at your local Houston yoga studio, and are 100% down to grow and become a better you. To get a taste of what a regular stretch routine can do for your body, Urban Fit Yoga hosts an array of workshops and classes that cover hip openers, balance, strength, and back and shoulder flexibility exercises and poses. They're pretty much everything that you can think of, plus a little something extra.

Getting the chance to know yourself more intimately is my favorite perk about stretching. As you learn when your body wants to be pushed and when it needs a break, you will have the chance to love yourself more fully. As you stretch yourself physically, you get to challenge your mental flexibility as well. This could look like doing something once a week that really scares you or trying to look at the world from a new perspective.  

Now, I’m sure knowing the all the incredible benefits of increased flexibility sounds great but, implementing is a different story. So, let’s just cut down to the chase.

Do people actually have and KEEP the short and long term benefits of flexibility?
​Yes.

Is there a way you can you really reach your flexibility and yoga goals? 
​Absolutely.

​Here's how to reach those tricky stretch goals:

1. Decide where you need to improve: What areas of your body are causing you pain? Stretch those out.  What areas of your body are stiff?  Stretch those out. 
2. Consistency: Develop a doable routine. This may be stretching out three times a week or maybe daily. Whatever you decide, stick to it.
3. Patience: Be compassionate with yourself as you develop your stretch routine. It may seem like progress is slow but, with combined consistency and patience, any goal is possible.  
4. Make it fun: There are lots of yoga and flexibility tools on the market do give your practice some variety. Massages and yoga wheels are a great substitutes to compliment your stretch flow yoga routine. These babies provide a deep tissue relief that target specific areas of the body. They improve circulation, relieve tension, and of course, increase flexibility. If you’re interested in exploring a yoga wheel, I heard you could snatch one up at Urban Fit Yoga studio… and don’t tell anyone but, I also heard they have some pretty amazing massages too.
5. Join a group: Check out Urban Fit Yoga studio’s Stretch Flow Yoga classes in Houston. By joining a studio, you will have a support community and a place to make new friends. It will be easier to hold yourself accountable to your goals when you have others keeping you in check - especially if you enroll in the FREE New You 30-Day Challenge.

So what are you waiting for?  Let’s get started!  Sign up for a stretch flow yoga class to start on your own journey to a more energetic, de-stressed, self-aware you.  By following a consistent, fun routine, you can reach those goals in no time.

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Meet The Author: Elizabeth Butler
I’m a fun loving professional with experience in branding, design, advertising, and business development. I keep my mind, body, spirit in sync through spiritual rituals including yoga & handstand practices.