by Enokson

Flexibility exercises are an important component of any fitness program. There are different types of exercises that you may want to do, and you can include them into your regimen. The flexibility exercises are soft and temperate stretching movements that help to improve the flexibility and length of your muscles.

Flexibility exercises help to increase the range of movement in your joints. These flexibility exercises may be part of a fitness program like Pilates or Yoga. These are stretching exercises and they are very helpful to get rid of problems like pain in various parts of the body.

One of the main aims of doing these exercises is that the connective tissues surrounding your muscles are lengthened. Doing these exercises three to five times a week ideally leads to your body being much more flexible. These exercises are very helpful for those who have back problems. They also improve the posture. They bring down the amount of sore muscles in the body and provide a relaxed physique. These exercises are not like resistance exercises or aerobic training and they are very good to keep your body flexible.

EXERCISES CAN BE ORGANIZED INTO THREE GROUPS.

- Aerobic exercises
- Anaerobic exercises or strength training
- Flexibility

Flexibility exercises tend to be overlooked but they are very important. The flexibility exercises should be included into an exercise regimen as they are very important. This inclusion should be at least three times and at the most five times a week. The down side of most aerobic or anaerobic programs is that they lead to the contraction of the muscles. The flexibility exercises elongate and extend the muscles in your body. As a result, flexibility exercises are very helpful. They lead to a higher range of motion.

With age, the flexibility in the body decreases. Therefore, the elongation of the muscle leads to your performing the daily tasks with much more ease and without the risks of injury. The exercises lead to better blood circulation. There is an enhanced blood follow to your muscles and the pain of arthritis can be avoided. There is improvement of posture. The exercises keep your muscles from getting tight and this leads to better posture. Flexibility leads to your having full range of motion. You have greater mobility and there is less risk of falling and injuring yourself.

Flexibility exercises also help the person in stress relief. During stress, the muscles become tight and the lengthening of the muscles leads to release of tension. There is the need of the core muscles to be involved in your flexibility exercise program. These muscles occur around your trunk and pelvis. The possibility of bad posture, lower back pain and muscle injuries is avoided. Therefore, flexibility exercises provide a relaxed body and cut down on sore muscles. The flexibility exercises also prepare the body for the stress of the exercises that you do everyday. The benefits of flexibility exercises therefore are many provided they are done in an organized manner.

Yoga is a great part of any wellness routine, as it has the ability to both reduce stress and exercise the body. If you are trying to use yoga to target your midsection, well, that can be done. There are a number of yoga positions (called asanas) which exercise the stomach muscles. Bear in mind that some of these are more advanced than other. Assess your own skill and comfort level before trying certain asanas. If you are not sure you are able to do one asana, start with one that seems easier and work your way up once you have belt some strength and flexibility. As with any workout routine, be sure to consult a professional before beginning and always warm up properly to avoid injury.

Pavan-Muktasan
To perform this stomach-exercising asana, first lie flat on your back. Use a yoga mat of towel to cushion the spine. Bend both knees up to your chest so that your thigh touches the stomach. Hug your knees in place and lock your fingers. Now lift your head up so your nose meets your knees. Take a deep breath and hold it for thirty seconds before releasing and slowly lowering back to start. This exercise can also be done one leg at a time.

Bhujangasan
For this stomach exercise, remain on the floor, but roll over on to your stomach. Position your hand under your shoulders. Now, using your back muscles, raise your upper torso off the ground to that your head is upright. Be careful not to push with your hands. You want the muscles in your back to be doing the work. Hold this posture for thirty seconds, then lower yourself back to start. Even though you are using your back muscles to lift your upper body, performing the asana will assist in reducing belly fat and flattening your tummy.

The Bow
This stomach exercise is pretty similar to the previous asana, but more involved. It starts from the same position lying on your stomach, but in this exercise you curl your legs upward in addition to lifting your upper torso. Bend your knees so that the soles of your feet come up toward your head. Grab your ankles and pull with your hands and push with your legs until only your stomach is on the floor. Your body should feel sort of like it is making a circle. Your knees should remain together throughout the exercise. Hold this position for thirty seconds before releasing and returning to starting position.

Paad-Pashchimottanasan
Now that you have read the name of this asana, try not to be intimidated– it is less complicated in practice than in pronunciation. It does, however, require a fair amount of flexibility, so you may want to start with something easier and build up to this one. Start by lying on your back with your legs straight and arms overhead. Your body should be straight from head to toe with all limbs extended. Point your palms up to the ceiling and put your hands together. Contract your stomach muscles to sit up, keeping your back straight and hands overhead. Bend forward and grab your toes with your hands, putting your head between your arms so it touches your knees. Hold the position for two minutes before releasing.