Why is movement so important to health and wellness?
By moving, you are strengthening your muscles, which improves stability, balance, and coordination. Don't forget, stretching helps maintain your muscle health as well.
BONES: Movement helps build more durable, denser bones.
It is generally accepted that increasing the flexibility of a muscle-tendon unit promotes better performances and decreases the number of injuries. Stretching exercises are regularly included in warm-up and cooling-down exercises; however, contradictory findings have been reported in the literature. Several authors have suggested that stretching has a beneficial effect on injury prevention.
Organized Movement
Tai chi, Pilates and yoga are great low-impact activities that focus on improving your balance and core strength. Generally, these activities are accessible to everyone no matter your age or ability level and provide great health benefits.
Tai chi, Pilates and yoga are particularly popular because building strength and balance can reduce the risk of falling, as well as ease the symptoms of various health conditions. Many of the movements and poses involved can also be adapted for people with disabilities, including wheelchair users.
Yoga
Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science of healthy living.
Yoga's incorporation of meditation and breathing can help improve a person's mental well-being. “Regular yoga practice creates mental clarity and calmness; increases body awareness; relieves chronic stress patterns; relaxes the mind; centers attention; and sharpens concentration,”
Pilates
Pilates aims to strengthen your body overall with emphasis on improving general fitness and wellbeing. It can be done similarly to yoga, on a mat, or most often with the aid of resistance equipment for building strength.
The health benefits of Pilates are thought to include improved posture, muscle toning and improved balance and mobility. There is also some evidence that suggests Pilates can beneficial if you suffer from back pain as the use of equipment allows you to exercise while your back is being supported.
Tai Chi
Tai chi was originally created as a form of martial art, today it is practiced as a health-promoting, low-impact activity.
There are different types of tai chi which vary in speed and the poses you are required to hold. If you attend a class you may find the teacher practices various styles and teaches tai chi in their own unique way, ask them if their class is right for you.
Basic exercise
Exercise is defined as any movement that makes your muscles work and requires your body to burn calories.
There are many types of physical activity, including swimming, running, jogging, walking, and dancing, to name a few.
Being active has been shown to have many health benefits, both physically and mentally. It may even help you live longer
Advanced exercise
