(Science-Based Reality Check)
Does Yoga Improve Flexibility?
No doubt yoga has a plethora of benefits, from better health to stress relief, weight management, cardiovascular conditioning, etc. This list could go on forever!
Similarly, many of us practise Yoga to improve Flexibility & Strength along with better health benefits as a bonus.
But many of us doubt does yoga improves flexibility?
Well, we all can see social media is full of yoga students who can stretch their bodies in unimaginable ways, so it’s natural to prejudice yoga might be only for flexible folks.
But it’s time for a reality check. Is it just a fad, or Does Yoga Improve Flexibility?
Yes, Yoga can help improve flexibility. Regular yoga practice helps to improve flexibility within 3 to 4 weeks.
Does Yoga Improve Flexibility?
In recent years the practice of yoga has gained popularity as a form of physical fitness and exercise, and has been said to improve strength and flexibility.
People begin to practice yoga for various reasons and some choose to practice to increase their flexibility.
So in this process, they might get stuck in the dilemma of whether yoga improves flexibility or not.
For many, Flexibility as a result of yoga practice may seem like the most logical connection ever.
Because they had practised or practised yoga for a long time and had seen a great difference in their flexibility.
But for a beginner or newbie, its quite difficult to believe in it.
So let’s dive into various research and studies done on the relationship between yoga and flexibility.
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Does Yoga Increase Flexibility?
YES or NO!
To see it, let’s take a look at a quality-controlled study.
The study was conducted to find out the effects of selected asanas in Hatha yoga on the agility and flexibility level of thirty people aged between the chronological age of 18-25 years.
The selected people were further divided into two groups as A & B.
Yoga asanas experiment was done on Group A, & group B was considered as the control.
They were subjected to the six-week training programme, some very basic Hatha Yoga asanas:
- Swastikasana
- Mayurasana
- Matsyendrasana
- Paschimottanasana
- Gomukhasana.
The experimental group received training in above mentioned Yoga postures for about 90 minutes
Guess what the result is?
So at the end, findings of this exploratory study concluded that the treatment of a six-week yoga asanas training programme showed significant improvement in agility and flexibility level.
All in all, just by doing very basic asanas, we can see such significant improvement in flexibility. So by regularly doing some basic to Intermediate Yoga Poses definitely helps to improve our flexibility.
Also, according to a study done on the effects of selected asanas in Iyengar yoga on flexibility.
The main aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of a six-week Iyengar yoga intervention on flexibility.
Finally, as expected, the study concluded that after attending Iyengar yoga practice for a total of 6 weeks, consisting of one 90-minute session per week, participants significantly increased their flexibility range of motion, especially in hamstrings and spine.
These are not just one or two studies that show improvement in flexibility after regular practice of yoga. Various immense similar studies are there which concluded, well, guess what?
No surprises again – yoga wins every time.
So now, after looking at all these studies, you should be out of a dilemma: Does Yoga Improve Flexibility?
Yes, Yoga improves flexibility!
Is Yoga Good For Flexibility?
Yoga is good for flexibility, no doubt about that; various studies have proved that.
Improved body flexibility is one of the most obvious and quickly achieved effects of regular Yoga practice.
Is Yoga The Best Way To Increase Flexibility?
Yoga is one of the best ways to increase flexibility.
Furthermore, it’s common to think that yoga is as effective as other activities in improving flexibility?
Let’s take a look at this study done on the Flexibility of the elderly after one year of yoga and calisthenics.
This study compared the flexibility of elderly individuals before and after having practiced hatha yoga and calisthenics for 1 year (52 weeks), at least 3 times/week.
Results showed that the practice of hatha yoga was more effective in improving flexibility compared to calisthenics.
Subsequently, there was a significant increase in total flexibility in the hatha yoga group (by 22.5 points) and the calisthenics group (by 5.8 points), that is group practising yoga was almost four times more flexible than the calisthenics group.
Additionally, if you ask me whether yoga is best for flexibility or any other activities.
Any time, I will always suggest going with Yoga.
Yoga does more than just what we think. It’s a total mind-body practice that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation or relaxation.
Yoga not only helps with flexibility but also includes spiritual and all-around development of the body.
But if your goals are different or you want to just improve the flexibility of a certain body part, then you can choose any other method.
Is Stretching Or Yoga Better For Flexibility?
Yoga and stretching are both better for Flexibility. Depending on your goals, both can be beneficial for you.
Also, if your goal is just to increase your muscle flexibility, then you can go with stretching, but if you want to live healthy along with all-around development of the body, then there is no better option than Yoga.
How Does Yoga Improve Flexibility?
Yoga poses stretch your muscles & increase muscle strength and endurance, with emphasis on movement through a full range of motion to increase flexibility and mobility.
Yoga involves lengthening or elongating muscles along with complete awareness and focus on your mind as well as your body.
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How Often Should I Do Yoga To Improve Flexibility?
To improve flexibility, you should do yoga at least three times a week.
Regular practise of yoga for three to four times a week for around 60 to 90 minutes will definitely increase your agility.
How Long Does It Take To Become Flexible With Yoga?
It takes around four to six weeks to become flexible with yoga.
Also, practicing yoga to improve your flexibility will require a complete, comprehensive approach.
Because flexibility varies widely from person to person depending on exercise history, Genetics, gender, and other various reasons.
That’s why for some people flexibility can significantly improve after three to four weeks of basic yoga practice. For others, it might take months of strict practice.
However, presently you may never be able to stretch like Yoga students on social media, but your flexibility will slowly improve over time.
We all see just their ability to stretch to such an extent and perform various Advanced Yoga Poses, but we don’t see their years of rigorous practice.
But Most people start noticing a difference after three to four weeks of practice
Which Type Of Yoga Is Best For Flexibility?
Hatha Yoga & Iyengar Yoga are best for flexibility.
Whereas there isn’t a best yoga type for flexibility, all forms of yoga are good options for flexibility.
Yoga Flexibility Before And After
Your mobility & flexibility will increase gradually after yoga, unlike before!
With each practice session, go at your own pace.
When you start practising yoga regularly for around 3 to 4 times a week for about 60 to 90 minutes, then slowly, bit by bit, your muscles will start stretching more as a result, your flexibility will get significantly improved.
Conclusion
Flexibility is one of the key elements of good physical health.
Everyone wants to increase their flexibility, but choosing the right method is always beneficial.
But out of various other practices, does yoga improve flexibility?
The Answer is Yes!
If you ask me, does yoga improve flexibility? Yes, yoga helps to increase our flexibility.
Yoga not only helps with flexibility but also includes spiritual and all-around development of the body.
Yoga does more than just what we think. It’s a total mind-body practice that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation or relaxation.
Doing a regular routine of yoga poses is a highly effective way of easing tension in your muscles and building flexibility.
The Important key is to start slowly and gradually increase the amount of time you can hold a pose with the correct form, and eventually increase and improve your practice.
What do you think, does yoga improve flexibility or not? What are your views on this? Do let us know in the comments section.
