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The Bendy Blog: Flexibility Training Articles
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“Diagnosing” Muscle Tightness vs. Nerve Tension
The role of our nervous system on flexibility training is something I wish I learned about way earlier in my training (because, spoiler alert, it needs to be treated totally different from our muscular system). This post is aimed to help get y’all up to speed on the basics of “neurodynamics” in flexibility training so you can start to understand the role your unique nerves play in your own personal training.
When (and How) to Start Working on Oversplits
While oversplit training may look like exercises reserved for those who are currently extremely comfortable in their flat splits, it’s actually safe an effective for students who are still an inch or two away from flat splits (and can even be a sneaky tool to help you close those last couple of inches!).
6 Active Flexibility Drills for Your Straddle Pancake
Looking to embody a flatter flapjack in your straddle pancake stretch? A straddle “pancake” (forward fold) requires a combination of inner thigh flexibility (to widen your straddle) and hamstring flexibility (to fold forwards). This post will specifically focus on active flexibility drills to strengthen our hamstrings and hip flexors to support a deeper wide-legged forward fold.
5 Beginner-Friendly Quad Stretches
There are a lot of activities that require you to really exercise your quads - literally anything that requires bending and straightening of your knee! Running, cycling, and weightlifting are all great at building quad strength, but without stretching after exercise could lead to tighter quads, which can eventually lead to knee pain.
If you’re looking for some beginner-friendly (and knee-friendly!) stretches for your quads, read on.
Best Practices for Flexibility Training - How to Maximize Progress
I’ve written before about how there are a zillion things from your genetics to how much you slept last night that can impact how long it takes to make progress with your flexibility training (which is also why if someone promises they can “get your splits fast!” you should know they’re full of crap). While there are some things you can’t control (hypermobility disorders, bone structure, etc.) there are plenty of things you CAN influence to optimize your flexibility training
5 Drills for Improving Overhead External Shoulder Rotation
Lack of external shoulder rotation - whether it’s for a backbend like a bridge, or a flat back shape like a handstand - can be a limiting factor for both flexibility newbies and aspiring contortionists alike. And this is especially challenging if you also struggle with shoulder flexion (being able to reach your arms straight overhead). Read on for a full routine to strengthen and stretch your overhead external shoulder rotation for bendier bridges and happier handstands!
The Importance of “External Shoulder Rotation” in a Backbend
Shoulders can be a confusing body part (ok body parts depending on how you want to define it!) - there’s a lot of different ranges of motion they can move. That’s why it’s so important to condition them and make sure they’re strong to support the multiple ranges of motion your movement discipline requires. For backbending and shoulder flexibility for things like a bridge (aka full wheel), forearm stand, or handstand, a common shoulder position to drill and strengthen is our external shoulder rotation to stabilize our shoulders and allow for a deeper bend in both the shoulders and upper back.
Pushing Up Into a Bridge: Progression
Are you struggling with the shoulder flexibility (and strength) needed to push up into a full bridge? Boy oh boy do I have a ridiculously thorough blog post for you! Read on for a full stretching routine that includes active and passive stretches to improve your shoulder overheard flexibility and press up strength!
When is the Best Time to Stretch?
If you’re interested in optimizing your flexibility training, you might be trying to find the “best” time to stretch to see the most results. What if you feel stiff every morning when you wake up? Or exhausted after a long work day and struggle to find the motivation? Or work non-traditional hours? When IS the best time?
Contract-Relax Stretches for Middle Splits
Contract-relax style stretching is a common (and effective!) type of active flexibility training. As someone who struggled with middle splits for a long time, I really enjoy the difference in comfort I can feel after doing some contract-relax work - hopefully you notice a difference as well!
6 Exercises for Hip Internal and External Rotation
Hip rotation is one of the main actions of our hip (along with flexion, extension, adduction and abduction), so a healthy flexibility training routine should contain some exercises to help with your rotation. Flexy and strong hip rotators not only help in poses that require a lot of rotation (like the amount of external rotation required for pigeon pose, or sitting cross-legged on the floor), but they also help stabilize our hips in positions of flexion or extension (like our front splits!).
6 Cat-Cow Variations for Spinal and Shoulder Mobility
These are some of my favorite variations of the Cat/Cow exercise that help get a different stretch in your back and shoulders than the "traditional" version.