At Fitbirds we move our bodies in a way which serve us not only on an enjoyment level but on a functionality level. We are here to bring you movement which is fun, challenging and movement that will elevate your your life whether that be in sport, chasing your kids or simply getting up and down from the ground with ease. Mobility or more likely the immobility of your body is going to show up for you as you move about your day and throughout a training session as either pain or limitations.
So what's the difference between mobility and flexibility? Flexibility is refers to the ability of your muscle to length whereas mobility refers to the ability of your joints to move. You're probably thinking, 'I've never been able to touch my toes' or 'my hips are so tight'. You've also probably thought 'my shoulders are so tight' along with 'ugh, my hips are so tight'.
However our beautiful human bodies are much more complex that this. Your tight hamstrings or shoulders are a part of an intricate web of muscles, tendons, ligaments, facia and bones and joints. All of which play a role in how efficiently your body moves or doesn't move.
We require all the movement on all the planes (constantly and consistently) in order to have a body which feels open, mobile and simply feels like a 'well oiled machine'. Sadly, the daily reality for most is: walking steps forwards, siting down for a long time, standing up and walking forward for a bit before sitting down more. And then eventually laying down. Repeat. Seriously depressing stuff huh?
A wise physio once told me 'the best move is the next move'. What did he mean by that? That there is not one particular exercise which will heal our aching bodies and not one particular way we should be sitting to improve our posture. We need to keep moving our bodies in different ways, constantly and continuously. So, your homework birds: Watch your children and pets. How do they move? How often do they move? (Ok, let's not watch our cats sleep). Our job is to move more like them. On all fours, side ways like a crab, on one leg, balancing, upside-down, backwards - and barefoot (that's for another blog). Getting up form the floor - with no hands - and not making any groans.
Next, watch your Fitbirds trainers move. I can promise you they'll be deep squatting, moving barefoot and perched in varied positions throughout your personal training sessions and classes. Meet yourself and these observations with kindness and compassion. You're not going to be moving like your child or like your trainer overnight if you've got a seated 9-5 and you haven't dedicated your life to primal movement, however by becoming aware of your restrictions, your limitations and by implementing daily changes (constantly and consistently) to how you move your body bit by bit your body will adjust and re-learn.
Remember birds, the best move is the next move.
Shani x
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