BRAIN HEALTH AND FLEXIBILITY TRAINING
Flexibility training, especially mind-body practices like yoga, tai chi, and dance, significantly boosts brain health by improving cognitive flexibility, focus, and memory through combined physical movement and mental engagement (dual-tasking). These activities reduce stress, inflammation, and enhance neural connections, while general exercise (aerobic, strength) increases blood flow, supports memory, and boosts neuroplasticity, all crucial for long-term cognitive function.
How Flexibility & Movement Train Your Brain
Dual-Tasking: Activities requiring you to move and think simultaneously (like dancing, martial arts, or yoga) strengthen brain pathways, improve focus, and build cognitive reserve.
Neuroplasticity: Learning new movements and coordinating complex actions fosters new neural connections, making your brain more adaptable.
Stress Reduction: Yoga and Tai Chi lower stress hormones and inflammation, which protects the brain.
Blood Flow & BDNF: Aerobic exercise and movement increase blood flow to the brain and stimulate Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), promoting neuron growth.
Brain-Boosting Tips
Combine: Pair physical activity with cognitive tasks (e.g., learn a language while walking).
Novelty: Learn new movements or skills to build new neural pathways.
Research On Connections
Yoga isn’t just for flexibility. It may also protect brain health. Source: American Heart Association
BIOLOGICAL AGING AND FLEXIBILITY TRAINING
Regular stretching plays a crucial role in reducing age-related changes in the joints, muscles, and tendons. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are unable to extend all the way. Stretching increases muscle length and reduces muscle stiffness, leading to improved flexibility and joint mobility. It also contributes to a significant reduction in the risk of age-related falls by enhancing balance and stability.
To actually lengthen the muscle and improve your range of motion long term, you need to stretch diligently about five to six days a week. Stretching is a valuable component of a treatment plan for anyone plagued by back problems. Supple, well-stretched muscles are less prone to injury; only perform “static stretching” (stretch and hold) after a five to 10 minute warm-up.
Research On Connections
“Stretching increases muscle length and reduces muscle stiffness, leading to improved flexibility and joint mobility” Source: Physio-pedia
“To actually lengthen the muscle and improve your range of motion long term, you need to stretch diligently about five to six days a week” Source: Self.com
“Only perform “static stretching” (stretch and hold) after a five to 10 minute warm-up” Source: Arthritis Foundation
“In a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data study, researchers found that flexibility was associated with lower mortality rates among adults ages 65 and older. In fact, they found that less flexible people had a 50% higher risk of dying during the study period than those who were more flexible” Source: American Sports & Fitness Association
RECOMMENDED HEALTHY AGING PROTOCOL
“I Do Flexibility Exercises”: Answer = 5-7 Days A Week