Flexibility or Hypermobility - Find Out More

When you start exercising you may start to discover many interesting factors about physical functions of body, joins and muscles. Often people get a little confused between these two things - Flexibility & Hypermobility, or think that they are one and the same. But there is actually quite a difference between the two.

You can be Hypermobile and not Flexible, or Flexible and not Hypermobile, or both together or neither!

Hypermobility relates more to the mobility in your joints due to the tension in the ligaments supporting them, while Flexibility is more about the total range of movement that you have in your body, which depends on the amount of tension in your muscles, fascia and nervous system.

Around each of our joints are strong bands of connective tissue called ligaments that help hold our bones together. (Remember that ligaments attach bone to bone, while tendons attach muscle to bone). In some people these ligaments are very tight, while in others they are quite stretchy. If a person has very stretchy or “lax” ligaments we call this Hypermobility. This means that the amount of movement available in their joints is more than for a person who has tight ligaments. The mobility of the ligaments does not change very rapidly over time. However as we age, if the joints are not moved regularly, the ligaments may stiffen a little.

Some people are mobile in just one or two joints, while some people have excessive mobility everywhere! (There is a special test to see how hypermobile you are called The Beighton Scale that gives you a value out of 9).

Note that Hypermobility is very different to Flexibility. Flexibility is more about your muscles (and other soft tissues) and how much they can lengthen to allow you to move your body through a full range of motion. This can change very rapidly, whereas your Hypermobility will not. While Hypermobility is usually genetically linked, we all have the capability to change our flexibility if we work on the right things.

You may feel tight in your muscles one day and loose the next, due to the amount of exercise you are doing, trauma from overstretching, changes in the temperature or hormonal change.

The one big myth that is that flexibility is all about your muscles. There are so many other systems that contribute to the amount of flexibility you feel in your body, so it is important that any flexibility routine that you do cover all bases. In our training classes and ballet workouts we make sure that there are exercises that contribute to your neural mobility, fascial tension, dynamic flexibility and strength and the power of your mind over your body, as well as static stretches.

Join our ballet workout classes in various locations and discover the real flexibility that is inside you today!

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Breathing - How to use it correctly during exercise & ballet class

Breathing is very important, especially whilst excessing, dancing, doing any fitness activities as well as ballet. It will not just supply your body with the right amount of necessary oxygen, but also will allow your whole body to start functioning in a better way. Obviously if you don’t breathe you’ll die. But doesn't just mean to inhale-exhale as you need it. To start using your breath to your advantage you have to learn to harness your breath and use it as a tool.

Whenever you’re flexing a muscle, you should exhale, and when you’re lengthening, you should inhale. The idea is to put air space between the ribs and spine, and to lengthen as much as possible, and then keep that length as you exhale. Focus on holding your stomach muscles whilst breathing, keep them pulled, but allow your breath to travel deep down. Instead of relaxing your lower stomach every time you breath in, keep it pulled, shudders down and expand your lungs and diaphragm.

Experiment with your breathing our ballet workout classes. Try to focus on your breath and you fill find that you can harness strength you didn’t know you had. Learning to breath correctly and hold your posture at the same time is a great benefit. To learn more join our classes:

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Post by Ballet Body Sculpture.

The Power Of Your Mind - How To Achieve Dramatic Results

If you want to improve everything from performance, fitness level, appearance to the time it takes to recover from an injury, look no further than your own head. The secret is a simple thing called imagery, or imaging, and it is something that you already use all the time.

“Everyone uses imagery, just not systematically,” says Eric Franklin, director of the Franklin Method Institute in Uster, Switzerland, and a member of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. “You cannot think or do anything without it.”

Imaging is the process of mentally going through a movement, an emotional state or a future scenario. Research of sports and dance psychologists has shown such mental activity creates changes in the brain that are similar to those happening when a movement is actually performed, which means that effective visualization, or imaging, can help you do something you have never been able to do before.

Imagery is perfect for improving self-confidence and technical skill. It’s important to make your image as realistic as possible, creating a strong mental anchor that would put you in a situation of already achieved results and give you confidence in being able to reach the goals.

Successful imaging requires that your image be based on an understanding of biomechanics, literally how your bones and muscles work together to accomplish a movement. Once you’ve developed an image that works, put it into action using an approach that sparks your imagination. 

“Basically, you want a change in the way your nerve cells are organised to create movement,” says Franklin. “To do that, you really do need a new feeling. Until you’ve done that, you haven’t made a fundamental change.”

The easiest and most basic kind of imaging is outer, or external, perspective, in which you see yourself from the outside, as if you are watching a movie. Those who are just beginning to image can use an external perspective to help themselves conquer stage fright. But remember, “You must create a reality,” says Franklin, “otherwise, it is a mental fantasy, not mental preparation.”

We all are able to create the best ourself if we put some effort and the right attitude. Engaging your bring power will take you to your most desired goals rapidly and the results become very dramatic. Looking younger, feeling fitter, healthier, more attractive, confident, happier, successful...or more, it's all within the power of your brain. 

To learn how to access this great potential within yourself, join our classes and start developing wonderful power using Mind & Body connections.

www.balletbodysculpture.com

Post by Ballet Body Sculpture.

Get Effective Results Training With BBS - See what our clients say...

"I always wanted to start ballet lessons as it felt very appealing, but at my age I didn't feel very comfortable in joining local ballet school, as I felt ballet is only for young people or for professionals. But when I received a flyer from Ballet Body Sculpture I got really interested, to sculpture the body using ballet caught my attention.

Since I started the lessons with Asta, I felt a big improvement in my flexibility, coordination, body awareness and control, which I was unable to achieve in all my previous training, even working with a personal trainer. My posture improved and movements become very fluid and elegant. I love when I get the exercise form correctly, it always makes me feel really elegant and gives a nice feeling of confidence.

For anyone that is thinking but is hesitant to try the classes, I would definitely recommend to try at least one lesson and you will immediately start to feel the difference. The exercises are very well developed and focused specifically for a women's body, leaving the feeling of warm, well conditioned and toned body after every workout." Britta Dietsche


"Ballet Body Sculpture training classes is something for which I have been searching for over 30 years. 

Since my childhood I always wanted to try ballet, but never really felt very comfortable, or it was never the right time. After 10 years as a scientist, I started to focus more on my body awareness and decided to try something different and unique.

Undertaking the lessons on the regular basis has significantly improved my posture, flexibility, self expression and confidence in my body. I have developed core strength, flattened my stomach and significantly reduced bloating. Changes to my walk and movements in my daily life have become so apparent that people started to compliment me on my grace. I really enjoy seeing my weekly progress, and being able to relax and de-stress during the class, it's great seeing what my body is capable of achieving!

For anyone thinking of trying Ballet Body Sculpture, I would say, if you start you, will never regret.  The exercises are very well designed to achieve your goals. Trust the teacher, be prepared to be open and listen, work with yourself and the results will be rewarding." Melissa 


So why not to try and see for yourself:)


www.balletbodysculpture.com

Post by Ballet Body Sculpture.