Okay, you probably opened this blog post to find out that I was going to talk about things in “moderation”. Having balance in your life when it comes to salads vs. cheeseburgers. Play vs. work. etc… Well, no. I am not. Maybe in the next post but not today. I am talking about the kinda BALANCE we have at B3 Bootcamp. In other words, our yoga program.

Our gym in known for lifting heavy. NO PAIN NO GAIN. BURN till hurts kinda place. I love how we push each other to BUILD. I love how we encourage each other to set new goals all the time. Such an amazing thing. But there is a HUGE component to our workouts we need just as much and that is stretching.

Sometimes stretching takes the backseat of exercise. However, this can be dangerous for our bodies. Not only does stretching obviously increase flexibility and joint range of motion but there is so much more to it. It increases our blood flow to our muscles. In return, brings nourishment and gets rid of waste byproduct in the muscle tissue.

Having good posture may not seem like a big deal in your 20’s but the older we get the more it is a BIG DEAL! Frequent stretching helps keep your muscles from getting tight, allowing you to maintain proper posture. Good posture can minimize discomfort and keep aches and pains at a minimum. You’ll be happy that you stretched after class, trust me!

Do you want to see yourself grow into the strong and able body you always dreamed of? Well, you gotta stretch! Maintaining the full range-of-motion through your joints keeps you in better balance and your muscles work more efficiently. Coordination and balance will help keep you mobile and less prone to injury from falls, especially as you get older. Yep, I brought up age again.

And honestly, stretching relieves mental stress and anxiety. By relieving muscle tension, stretching allows your muscles to let go of where you’re carrying stress, helping you to relax and sleep better. Stretching as part of yoga may also improve quality of sleep by reducing mental stimulation, which is common in people who struggle with insomnia.

This is what I mean when I say BALANCE. This is why we call it BALANCE at B3 Bootcamp. Not because you can stand on one foot without plowing your face into your mat. But, because we put so much stress on our bodies to get fit and to be active, let alone the mental stress that we all endure throughout the day. Isn’t it time to slow it down, tune into your breathing and take time to baby your body with a deep stretch?