If you’ve taken classes with me in the past you’ll notice that my classes and my practice are NOT all about stretching or about trying to make a particular shape or pose.

In fact I can say with hand on heart that I have no desire to make gains in flexibility and that I am much more interested in gaining strength and active ranges of motion.

Since the start of my Yoga and Pilates journey I have been interested in the Science behind the practices. My favourite word has always been why? And so my practice and my teaching are very much science and evidence based.

With this in mind let’s bust a couple of myths about stretching and flexibility….

1. Stretching makes you more flexible? 

Some studies have shown intensive stretching will in fact increase flexibility. However, those same studies have shown that in order to make significant flexibility gains stretches would need to be held to the point of pain for about 7 minutes, 5 days a week for at least 8 weeks. I’m not sure that you’d come back to class if I asked you to hold downward dog to the point of pain for 7 minutes?!   

But wait! Before you vow to never stretch again it’s important to remember that gentle stretching has lots of benefits and it feels so good  – think of of a gentle massage and how good you feel after it (more on this another time!).

2. Strength and flexibility are NOT opposites? 

There is a general misconception that getting stronger results in loss of flexibility, that one cancels out the other so to speak. Research has shown that increasing strength actually improves range of motion, which leads to greater flexibility. 

Think of gymnasts or power lifters  – they have incredible strength and range of motion. 

3. All Yoga postures are therapeutic?

The ancient Yoga texts contain very little detail on individual Asana (postures) and it is thought that a lot of the Yoga postures that we see practiced today were actually devised much later on with the aim of popularising Yoga – it worked!.

It’s easy to see the similarities between Yoga asana as we know it and gymnastics and calisthenics and other movement modalities that can be performed with little or no equipment. .So just because it’s labelled Yoga doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s therapeutic  – we’ve got to be discerning when it comes to our movement practices – we’ve got to listen to our bodies. 

When the ancient Yoga texts do mention asana they talk about finding the balance between effort and ease in our positions.

So be discerning…

Ask yourself – can I feel the effort and find the ease? Can I breathe and smile?  

If flexibility gains are what you’re after then great! Building strength and gaining an active range of motion is a great way to gain flexibility in a way that will be functional and supportive and it doesn’t involve torturous stretching tactics.  

The goal of my movement practice is to feel good, to be able to move with ease now and into the future. I want my movement practice to be functional  – I want to see and experience the gains in my daily life. And I want my practice to be fun, varied and supportive, all the while aiming to find the balance between effort and ease.