Yoga with Elle

We’ve spent a bit of time on this blog discussing stretching and why it is good for us. But stretching is only half of the story; we need to be strong every bit as much as much as we need to be flexible. Just as flexibility can help us build strength more effectively, building strength can help us stretch more safely. The Hypermobility Issue Hypermobility refers to joints that move beyond the normal range of motion (think about those people whose elbows and knees can go pas

Inversions. Depending on who you are, this group of poses can leave you feeling anything from excitement to anxiety. And why is that? Inversions – handstands, headstands, forearm stands, etc. – challenge you to view life from a different perspective. They quite literally turn your world upside down. So why should we practice them? Inversions have many benefits. They improve circulation of oxygen-rich blood to the brain, and help your lymphatic system flush potentially ha

The Different Types of Stretching: Part 2 Welcome back to our third week of blog posts on stretching, flexibility, and the many forms and benefits of each. For the last post in this series, I’ll be focusing on the methods of stretching that are combinations or variations of the 3 main forms of stretching discussed in Part 2 of this series. If you’d like to review some of the many benefits of stretching, head back to Part 1! Let’s dive right into the more complex forms of s

The Different Types of Stretching: Part 1 Last week, we talked about some of the many benefits of stretching, and why it is an important part of a well-rounded fitness routine. But what is the best way to stretch? There are many different methods of stretching out there. And to further complicate things, some methods of stretching have confusing names (what in the world is PNF stretching? why does active stretching not involve movement?). Every method of stretching has it