The fascinating fascia – Part 2. Why stretching is so powerful
I’m loving that fascia is becoming quite the buzz word. Studies and articles are popping up everywhere about it because it’s been so ignored. I’m seeing the effects of working it all the time.
In almost every yoga class, particularly when we focus into deep stretch, I’ll hear sounds of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahhhhs’ as we release deeply held tension, stiffness and tightness.
Students will almost always leave a class saying, ‘I feel so much better’. Especially when anyone has been away for a while due to illness, holiday, work or any other reason, there is a real need to return to yoga. I’ve heard things like ‘my body has been crying out for this’ and ‘I can’t cope if I don’t have my regular yoga’.
Why is this? Is it because stretch feels good or what exactly is going on?
The list of things that affect fascial stiffness in the body is long. Stress, illness, depression, age, diet, lack of movement can all contribute to that stiff tight feeling we get in the body. Long work hours or a sedentary lifestyle can create chronic stiffness in the body. We already know what it’s like getting up out of a chair after concentrating over the computer for an hour or so. That slow, tight rise from the chair when we feel like we’ve aged another 10 years can feel awkward and almost painful. Imagine when that happens every day over months and years, there will be parts of the body that can harden if we’re not mindful and that stoop that comes with age can become permanent. Take time away from regular stretching and mindful yoga and the affect can feel the same.
More evidence is emerging that lifestyle changes could help reverse problems related to this stiffness.
We all know a good stretch out feels fabulous, but what exactly is going on when we do and why is it so beneficial?
In recent lab studies it’s been found that stretching causes changes to fibroblasts in loose fascia which allows it to relax. This in turn induces a series of anti-inflammatory chemical events. Chronic inflammation is linked to just about everything and when we work into the deep stretches typical in yoga, it floods the body with those deep feel-good release molecules.
We know how good we can feel when go for that deep therapeutic massage from a Myo therapist or physio. The effect from one massage, like one yoga class, is temporary. It’s the regular practice of working gently into all parts of the fascia that can make permanent changes. Worked in combination with physical stretch and it’s the ideal pairing. But like everything, it’s a regular habit that needs to be practiced. One yoga stretch session will make you feel fabulous for a few days, but a regular 20 minute session a few times a week or a 10 minute deep stretch every single day will turn your life around.
If you’d like to know more about my online yoga program that includes lots of short 10 and 15 minute stretch flows, go here to www.annenoonan.com.au/virtual-yoga.