Written by Amanda Dzengeleski
On Saturday June 15th, we will host our third semi-annual Art and Yoga Retreat: Heart of Wonder at the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill in collaboration with Beverly Dyer. Join us for a full day (8:30am-3:30pm) of creativity as we embody the meaning of WONDER in mind, body, and heart. Registration is through NC Botanical Garden.
Learn the importance of spiraling within our daily functional movements and why "the weights of the body are our focus for mobility, balance and safety and not the connectors (e.g., knees, etc.) on May 15th for Part 2 of Spiraling for Healthy Movement with Sam. You can attend live In Person or Online. A recording will be available for 7 days if you cannot attend live. If you missed Part 1, you can purchase it from the video library HERE.
Discuss the components of functional movement in depth on May 22nd with Amanda. Sign up online for Stability, Mobility, Flexibility - What is the Difference?
Functional movement is the integration of stability, mobility and flexibility to support natural movement patterns and adapt to the physical demands of daily life. These three elements are often viewed in isolation, each with its own set of exercises and practices. However, from a functional perspective, they are interconnected pieces of the same puzzle, essential for developing healthy movement patterns and minimizing the risk of injury.
Functional movement practices strengthen our ability to perform everyday tasks safely, efficiently and sustainably. Dogwood teaches a functional approach to yoga, emphasizing controlled movements that transpire into everyday life, such as walking, squatting, bending, lifting, and reaching. Stability is the ability to maintain control and support during these dynamic activities. We develop this support through muscular engagement and activating sturdiness along our fascial lines allowing our body to adequately distribute force. However, it's not just strengthening our tissues - it's about having the right tissues firing at the right time to provide a solid foundation for movement. In yoga, functional stability involves controlled movement patterns to support dynamic poses and transitions. Consider how you might move from seated to standing in a functional way (read our last blog on spiraling). This stability enables us to move confidently and safely through our practice.
Flexibility and mobility are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct components of movement. Flexibility primarily refers to the ability of muscles and connective tissues to lengthen, allowing for an increased range of motion at a joint. It involves the passive elongation of tissues and is typically assessed by measuring range of motion in static stretches. While flexibility is important for achieving a greater range of motion, it does not necessarily guarantee optimal joint function or movement quality.
Mobility, on the other hand, encompasses both flexibility and joint function. It refers to the ability of a joint to move freely and efficiently through its full range of motion. Unlike flexibility, which focuses solely on muscle lengthening, mobility considers the integrity of the joint capsule, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, as well as the coordination of movement patterns. Restricted mobility in certain joints can lead to compensatory movement patterns, increasing the risk of injury. For example, limited ankle mobility may result in excessive knee or hip rotation during activities such as squatting or running, placing undue stress on the joints and surrounding tissues. By improving joint mobility, we can reduce the likelihood of compensatory movements and associated injuries. Maintaining joint mobility is vital for preserving functional independence, particularly as we age. Adequate mobility allows us to perform daily activities with more ease and reduces our risk of falling.
Each component is equally important in maintaining healthy movement patterns. However, an excessive focus on one component over the others can lead to imbalances. For instance, prioritizing stability without addressing mobility and flexibility can restrict movement patterns and decrease range of motion. Conversely, excessive flexibility without stability can compromise joint integrity and cause tissues to overstretch.
Individual differences, including skeletal variation and medical history, should be considered when designing a balanced movement practice. It's not just about being strong but moving well and feeling good while doing it. Dogwood Studio has a team of certified yoga therapists that can help you to identify movement imbalances and develop a practice in service of YOUR body. Click here to learn more about our private yoga therapy sessions.
Group classes at Dogwood Studio such as Ageless Balance and Strength, Mindful Movement, and Joint Freeing Yoga, all are taught from a functional approach to support a balance of stability, mobility and flexibility for Any Body.
Reach out to us with your questions at info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com. We are here to help. ❤️❤️❤️
Amanda Dzengeleski is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT) and an aspiring yoga therapist (in training). She first discovered yoga as a form of mind-body medicine that cultivated a deeper state of self-awareness and personal growth. Using a functional and trauma-informed approach, Amanda empowers her students to move freely and intentionally in celebration of body, mind, and heart.
SAM Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and an Insight Yoga Institute (IYI) endorsed teacher. She individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.
