Stretching can be a great way to warm up your muscles before a workout, but that’s not the only reason to add mobility exercises to your daily routine. This 15-minute stretching session is designed to strengthen your mind-muscle connection and boost your flexibility without weights.
You don’t need any equipment to get started either, although it may help to roll out one of the best yoga mats, as it can improve your grip and make things a bit more comfortable. But it’s not essential, making this routine ideal for when you’re tight on time or away from home.
All you really need is a bit of space where you won’t be disturbed and 15 minutes to spare to take on this short session designed by fitness instructor Ajay James. You don’t need to have any stretching or yoga experience, as James guides you through each position with proper form.
The routine comes from Alo Moves’ Body Restore program, a collection of 12 short classes designed by James to help improve “your blood flow, mobility, and range of motion.” And, like this 15-minute session, you don’t need any equipment to get started.
Watch Ajay James’ 15-minute stretching routine
James explains that the aim is to hold each stretch “a little bit longer. And [just] really concentrate on relaxing, not thinking about anything, and going deep into [the] stretching.” It’s a technique that’s designed to strengthen the mind-muscle connection and improve your awareness of your body.
If you stand up, how aware are you of the muscles in your legs, core and upper body as you’re upright? As these are sensations we feel so regularly, it’s hard to notice them all the time. But taking a moment to focus on the feeling can help us better understand how our bodies move.
It’s a practice that’s similar to mindfulness meditation, where you’re aiming to bring your focus to the movement of your breath. But instead of noticing sensations while you’re sitting still, you’re creating a movement to notice how your body feels as you stretch.
This can help improve your form during exercise, but it also plays a role in practices like yoga and Pilates, where small adjustments to your posture can make a big difference to the muscles you’re engaging and how comfortable it is to hold the position for extended periods.
But if you’re just starting out, James’ session can help ease you into the practice, especially as you’re sitting for most of the routine. Then, over time, you can strengthen the mind-muscle connection, relieve tension, and maybe add some yoga stretches for beginners into your routine, too.
More from Tom's Guide
- This 8-move stretching routine increases mobility and relieves upper body tension
- These 6 stretches for beginners boost flexibility in your hamstrings, calves and ankles
- 3 exercises that strengthen your hips and open your hamstrings
