Wait… did I just say passive stretching is GOOD?

"Brainy What-Why-How"

Your weekly nibble of science-backed goodness to help you move better and feel unstoppable.

🧠

What:

I’ve spent years yelling “Keep your muscles ON when you stretch!” (hypermobile* people — you know the sermon).

But here’s my confession:

Passive stretching does have its place.

Yup. I said it.

Why:

Flexibility isn’t about stretching your tissues — it’s about convincing your brain that it’s safe to go there.

Your brain needs clear info to feel safe. And active muscles send steady signals saying,

“We’re good. We know where we are. We’re in control.”

But — if you can’t consciously relax a muscle, that’s just as limiting as never being able to contract it.

🧠 Sometimes your brain learns a pattern of holding on, so passive stretching can write a new pathway that says "letting go is safe too."

Tight, clenched, always-on muscles:  That’s not strength or control. 

How:

💪 When to stay active*:

Keep those muscles ON anytime gravity or external force could pull you deeper than you intended.

  • Quad stretch: Push your foot into your hand before gently pulling it back.

  • Pigeon pose: Press your legs into the floor before easing off.

  • Any time you’re chasing more range — stay switched on.

😌 When to relax:

Let go when you’re fully supported and safe.

  • Reclined pigeon: Chill.

  • Between reps or holds: Take a few seconds to really soften.

  • Savasana: Non-negotiable. (Also, maybe the most productive thing you’ll do all day.)

The sweet spot?

  • Active where you want control in that range

  • Try passive if active stretching isn't helping, and just don't stay there for more than 60 seconds.

That’s exactly how we flow in the Gentle Flows on Move With Adell — this month we’re ​mixing yoga with gym moves, starting with a Gentle one​ — and honestly, it’s my favourite mash-up yet.

Keeping it tight and chill,

Adell 💋

*Why this matters for hypermobile folks: Your collagen’s a little wobbly and your proprioceptive feedback’s fuzzy — meaning your brain doesn’t always get a clear signal about when to stop stretching. That “good stretch” feeling might actually be you sailing past your limit. Staying active keeps your boundaries safe, clear, and sexy-smart.

Want to go way deeper with me? 👀 ​

• Check out my upcoming​ IRL events​ 
• Sign up to ​my next NeuroYoga TTC​ where I teach YOU how to blend yoga + neurology
• Join me on Move With Adell -- I upload 2 new videos a week -- often with brain drills woven in -- ​Click here​ to start your FREE trial.
• Check out the courses from Z-health, where I started my education in brain-based approaches: ​Click here​ for my discount codes on their first 3 courses!
• Get my book ​"Too Flexible to Feel Good: A Practical Roadmap to Managing Hypermobility"​

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