Often credited to Joseph Pilates, the phrase "You're only as young as your spine is flexible" should be taken to heart by everyone hoping to extract more value from life.
Strength training and conditioning is sexy. Mindfulness meditation is well in fashion. Flexibility is still the bastard child of the wellness industry (outside of specialized training approaches like Yoga and Pilates).
But I contend that flexibility deserves an equal valuation to the others and holds its own among them as a key pillar of Weightlessness Training. I go into great depth in The Essence of Lightness as to why that is, but to keep this brief, I'll summarize it's value as youth. If you're over the age of 25 you've likely noticed your mobility decrease year on year - the back feels stiffer, the legs and shoulders feel tighter - unless you've been actively stretching... the consequence of sitting for extended periods of time.
People wrongly assume that some people are flexible, and others not, and that's just the way it is. When you came out of your mom you were as malleable as the rest, and you let it fade away. But all is not lost, you can get it back, if not in entirety, at least to a meaningful degree. And it doesn't have to be excruciating to get started.
The two most important stretches by far are the forward bend and the squat (ideally as deep as possible, splayed knees, and neutral spine). These two stretches counteract the hours upon hours of hamstring shortening and hip closure that the body undergoes at work and leisure while sitting, and they create much needed space for the spine to flex as it should. Throwing in a hip flexor stretch won't hurt either if the other two are already in your tool kit.
The forward bend (with locked knees and bending at the hips to max depth before the rounding back) and the deep squat can be worked through for one or two minutes in the morning and again in the evening for an incredible shift in dynamic flexibility and general mobility. It doesn't take much.
They can be done while you're brushing teeth or watching TV. And they will add years back on your life, if not actual ones, at least ones that matter.
Stay classy ya'll, and be weightless!
Tom
Weightlessness | Mind Body Performance Coaching