Mobility

What is mobility training?

Mobility is your ability to move through a full range of motion with control and without putting stress on the body. There is a lot we don't know about mobility, or why we lack mobility. It can be muscular, neurological or mental causes, or that the bone structure simply restricts our full range of motion. Yoga is a form of mobility training but there are a wide range of mobility exercises. Some exercises, such as pilates and Organic Bodywork, integrates mobility training into the workout.

How mobility training works

Mobility will get you moving - use it or lose it! Normally, mobility training is divided in two parts - static and dynamic. Static stretching elongates the muscle and you keep the position for a few seconds up to a few minutes while on the other hand, dynamic stretching involves a movement. Physical yoga consists of both dynamic and static mobility movement.

Active vs passive mobility

Active mobility is the range of motion we create with our own force, for instance how deep your lunge is or if you are able to stretch your arms over your head without bending your elbows. Passive mobility requires some kind of support to get into a position when, for example, you use straps or take hold of your foot to stretch your front thigh. If you experience problems with active mobility, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a problem with tense muscles but it could instead mean that you're weak in some part of your body.

Why should I do mobility training?

Everyone should introduce mobility training in their workout program. Especially considering the fact that many of us are physically inactive most part of the day when we sit down, often desk-bound. Mobility training is as important for your health as cardio and strength training. If you practice sports or other types of activity, it's the perfect complement to your program.

Mobility training videos online

Below you find videos connected to mobility training. Get into the habit to add sequences to your workout program every week to optimize your exercise. You'll find a range of videos in Yogobe's inspiring library.

What you need to keep in mind

• Don’t stretch just because of it. Consider whether tense muscles really is the issue. Instead, maybe you need to build up your mobility pattern with dynamic or building strength.
• Breathing is important when you want to increase your mobility. Calm and deep breathing relaxes the muscles while shallow breathing tenses the muscles.
• We generally perceive mobility as only positive, however, there is a reason why some joints are more stable than others. If a joint is very flexible, it requires a lot of stability and strength of the body.
• Strength training is an important element to get a softer body. To train the body with good techniques of full range of motion will increase mobility.

Benefits

• Improves well-being
• Calms both mind and body
• Contributes to more efficient and safe strength training and cardio workout
• Increases and maintains flexibility
• Can contribute to better performance in other sports and exercises
• Improves posture
• Prevents injuries

Program to increase your mobility

To help you get started with your mobility training, we have developed two different programs with videos tips and plans:

• Bendable Body & Sweat Party - combination of dynamic mobility training and high intensive training. The perfect workout!
• Improve your circulation - when you improve your mobility, you also improve circulation in your body. Follow yoga sequences that softens and stretches your body.