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Being flexible is not only great for physical health, but it's also beneficial to mental health as well. Many people think that flexibility is primarily associated with dancers and gymnists, but anyone can see that many dancers and gymnists have tight, toned bodies. How do they achieve such physical health, and maintain "peace of mind"? Flexibility may be the key.

I was a dancer for a few years, and developing and maintaining my flexibility was always my number one priority. I knew that I couldn't do the moves properly (and easily) if my muscles and body weren't ready for them. So, I tried to keep myself flexible, even though I had lost much of my natural flexibility (when I was a child) because I didn't maintain them as I got older.

It's not hard to get flexible once again. The main key to flexibility is stretching. Without proper stretching, it's really difficult to have the kind of flexibility that you want. First, try sitting on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Keeping your stomach tight, bend your upper body forward, trying to touch the tips of your toes. If you can't, don't try too hard, but do try to challenge yourself. However, if you start having uncomfortable pain in your lower back, do not overexert yourself any longer.

Another variation of this is to spread your legs as wide apart as possible. Then, keeping your stomach tight and your legs straight, bend your body forward, trying to touch your nose and chest to the floor. This is very difficult for most beginners to do, so even if you only reach half-way, you are at a good starting point.

Next, put your buttocks up against a bare wall. You should have a lot of clearance on both sides for your legs. Put your legs perpendicular to the floor against the wall. Then, try to spread them as wide apart as possible. You will feel the stretch in your inner thighs and your lower back. Keep your stomach tight, and just lie there and try to be comfortable. You can do so for the next twenty minutes or so. When you are done, slowly get your legs together and then lie them to the side, then get up. Don't get up abruptly, or you will risk pulling a muscle.

The last great flexibility workout you can do is the splits. There are three kinds: left split, right split, and the middle split. The difficulty of these splits will vary from person to person, but try the side splits first. Keep the position for at least one or two minutes. Remember, however, that the splits are difficult for beginners who haven't done them in years.

Try these workouts at least once a day or every other day (for beginners) and you will see a great improvement in your flexibility in no time at all!

Learn more about this author, Joan Inong.
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