Improve your joint flexibility with these exercises
What's the story
African exercises offer a natural way to enhance joint flexibility, drawing from age-old practices across the continent. These exercises are based on movements that promote the full range of motion and relieve stiffness. By adding these routines to your daily life, you can improve your joint health without the need for expensive equipment or complicated techniques. Here are five African exercises that can help you with better joint flexibility.
Dance moves
Traditional dance movements
Traditional African dances involve a range of rhythmic movements that engage multiple muscle groups and joints. These dances usually involve circular motions, bending, and stretching, which help in increasing flexibility over time. The repetitive nature of these movements helps in loosening tight muscles and improving the range of motion in the hips, knees, and shoulders.
Jumping technique
Maasai jumping exercises
The Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania are famous for their jumping exercises, which are a part of their cultural rituals. This exercise involves jumping straight up with minimal bending of the knees. It not only strengthens the leg muscles but also improves the flexibility of the ankle and knee joints. Regular practice can improve balance and coordination.
Capoeira influence
Capoeira-inspired movements
Though capoeira originated in Brazil, it has African roots that are evident in its fluid movements. The exercise combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and martial arts to create a full-body workout that improves flexibility. The sweeping kicks and low stances in capoeira help in stretching the hip flexors and increasing the mobility of the spine.
Storytelling stretches
Griot storytelling stretches
Griots are traditional storytellers in West Africa who use body language as an integral part of their storytelling. The stretches they perform while telling stories involve gentle twists and bends that improve spinal flexibility and relieve tension from the back muscles. These stretches can be easily incorporated into daily routines for better posture.
Yoga poses
African yoga poses
African yoga poses borrow from ancient practices that emphasize breathing control along with physical postures to improve health. These poses include deep stretches focusing on major joints such as wrists, elbows, shoulders, ankles, and knees. They improve circulation while relieving stress from the body over time when practiced regularly.