“Mobility is the body’s own anti-ageing agent. When you bathe each joint in nutritive and lubricative flow, you revitalise.” Scott Sonnon, martial artist
The MOBILITY workouts are based on a style of yoga called vinyāsa. In each of the routines, we flow through a continuous series of poses, synchronising breath and movement. In this style of yoga, the transition between postures is as important as the poses themselves and the breath is primary. The sequences are relatively fast-paced, making this one of the most advanced in the series.
BENEFITS OF MOBILITY TRAINING
- Improves range of motion.
- Lubricates the joints.
- Releases tight muscles.
- Circulates blood and nutrients throughout the body.
- Improves cardiovascular health.
- Boosts metabolism.
- Improves body composition (the ratio of fat to muscle).
- Builds stamina.
- Increases agility.
- Improves coordination.
- Enhances focus and concentration.
- Boosts mood.
HOW WE LOSE RANGE OF MOTION
- Sitting too much.
- Training with intensity in one (or a few) specific discipline(s).
- Injury.
- Stress.
- Getting older.
Poor joint mobility can cause pain, discomfort and muscle stiffness, restrict movement, increase susceptibility to injury and lead to fatigue, compromised joint health and poor posture. Moving smoothly through the poses circulates synovial fluid to the joints which allows the bones to glide over each other without friction. This fluid also delivers nutrients and oxygen to the cartilage, which unlike other body tissue, does not have its own blood supply.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
1. CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS
The style of workout improves cardiorespiratory fitness—not to the level of interval training or even steady state cardio but to a significant degree. As you raise your heart rate, your VO2 max—how efficiently oxygen enters your lungs, moves into your bloodstream, and is used by your muscles—increases. Unlike slower forms of yoga, in which the focus is on increasing flexibility and promoting relaxation, this type of yoga increases the fitness of your heart, lungs and blood vessels, whilst boosting your metabolism and improving body composition.
2. FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION
The speed and complexity of the workouts means that they have significant cognitive as well as physical benefits. The level of concentration required in flow yoga strengthens networks in the brain that control mental efficiency, making these workouts great for improving concentration, focus and alertness.
3. MOVING MEDITATION
Flow yoga demands that you pay full attention and stay focussed to keep up with the quick succession of poses. As it’s harder to get lost in thought, the routines become a form of moving meditation. The steady cycle of inhalations and exhalations provides you with an engaging mental focal point. Mental chatter falls away and your mind becomes calm and clear. Try to focus on your breath and the sensations in your body to help you stay present.
WHO SHOULD DO THE MOBILITY SERIES?
If you want to fine-tune your yoga skills, increase your joint mobility and improve your focus and concentration, this is a good series for you.
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