Flexibility and the Nervous System
When we change our intention of an exercise, the exercise can feel different in the moment and our bodies can respond differently in the long run. When we think about our deeper structures while moving, it can have a profound effect on how our nervous systems integrate movement and impact flexibility.
As Joseph Pilates said, “Keep in mind that you are not interested in merely developing bulging muscles but rather flexible ones.”
Flexibility comes not just from muscles that can lengthen under load, but from good hydration and a nervous system that is able to transition from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest easily. The ability of nerves’, arteries’ and veins' to glide and move through the structures that surround them also impact flexibility.
When I first started Pilates, I approached it from a musculoskeletal lens; working the intrinsic muscles of the body to support my dancing, address chronic knee pain and increase overall strength and flexibility. It was like magic. My knee pain went away and I felt more in control of my movements, finding ways to initiate movements with ease and to this day my body has been forever grateful.
What I wasn’t considering at the time was that I was realigning my joints and working on balanced muscle recruitment so that the deeper, more vital structures of the body were able to glide and move within my joints, specifically my nerves, arteries and veins. When our bodies begin to tighten, spasm, or begin a pattern of gripping, this is the brain creating “safety” for the vital structures. Which is why incorporating mind-body movement practices into our routines can help your body feel safe to move.
Recently as I’ve delved deeper into viewing the body from the visceral and neural lens, I was inspired to revisit Joseph Pilates’ book, Return to Life through Contrology. His original mat exercises were designed to support blood flow and decompression of the nerves, specifically the nerve roots coming from the spine.
Joseph states Contrology (the original name for Pilates) “was conceived and tested with the idea of properly and scientifically exercising every muscle in your body in order to improve the circulation of the blood so that the bloodstream can and will carry more and better blood to feed every fibre and tissue of your body.”
Major nerves, blood vessels and arteries run together and when our joints have balanced muscles and are aligned, the nerves, arteries and blood vessels have the space they need to pass through.
In conclusion, when we feel more flexible in our joints and muscles, this can be a result of:
Muscles being able to return to their normal resting length
Prime movers and their synergists firing sequentially
Agonist and antagonist being balanced around a joint
Nerves gliding within their sheaths and not being compressed
Blood flow and circulation
Nerves are yellow, arteries are red, veins are blue and the lymph system is green. The organization of the main branches of these systems run together. When they are compressed or compromised in some way the brain sends signals to protect the area, causing muscles to grip, spasm or guard to protect the nerves, arteries, veins.