Primal Primer 7 (Fitness)
Yoga like practices originate in Indus Valley civilizations dating back 5,000-3,500 years ago, whereby seals depicting figures in meditative postures suggest proto-yogic techniques. 2,500 years ago, the Bhagavad Gita presents yoga as a multifaceted practice classified as yoga’s of action, devotion, and knowledge. At root, the peoples of this region discovered power of regimented movement (mobility & flexibility); developing a training technology as way of building strength and curing pathology.
Mobility and flexibility work primes the body for movement while increasing recovery. Mobility being defined as actively moving joints through ranges of motion (often to end ranges) and preparing the body for action prior to workout or correlated sport. Flexibility (static stretching) being defined as passively moving joints through ranges of motion with emphasis on releasing and lengthening muscle through neurological inhibition of nerve reflexes. Although flexibility training should not be done prior to heavy strength training, it can be helpful post workout or during rest days for resetting length tension relationships between complementary muscles systems. Practicing flexibility is also notable in working out muscle knots (collagen fibers forming protective nodules from trauma and healing). Mobility and flexibility paired in yoga is an exemplary strategy for strengthening, healing, and meditating.
~Cave Implementation~
Practice mobility & flexibility everyday. Both can be intermittently practiced for short intervals during work breaks, while taking standing conference calls, or before / after workouts in the form of active readiness / recovery. Do what feels good: work on tight musculature chronically flexed from sitting, target areas of focus for upcoming workouts, or to simply sooth muscle soreness from previous training sessions. Mobility & flexibility doesn’t necessarily need to be done for extensive amounts of time (unless focusing on rehab, pre-hab, or yoga); but is a powerful technology to tap into for immense benefits of mind and body.
Be A Supple Sapien.
