Learn More About How to Hydrate Your Fascia

We always love seeing what we talk about and practice in GST being reinforced with other research and study.  So it was great to stumble upon this short reflection on some of Tom Myers’ work recently on a Yoga website.

This short summary explains why you should keep your fascia hydrated as you age, but it also sheds light on the idea that there are more ways to do this than simply literally hydrating your body with water. The exciting thing is that GST can provide your body with almost all of the suggestions they make. As they explain:

1. Get Enough Movement. Movement is essential. If we don’t move the body, we will not get the water out into the tissues where it needs to be.
2. Engage in Varied Movement. Varied movement is essential. If we do the same movements, the same parts of the body get hydrated. By doing unusual movements or a varied yoga routine, you ensure that the hydration stimulated by the movement reaches all parts of the body. Also, by rolling yourself with a roller or by getting bodywork in unusual and stiff places, we can rehydrate tissues that have become dehydrated in the course of our life.
3. Alternate with Rest. Don’t overlook the importance of rest in allowing the tissues to rehydrate. When you’re really working out tissues, you’re squeezing the water out of the tendon, fascia, muscle, or whatever joint tissues were strained by the work that you’re doing. It’s important to allow the tissues to rehydrate by taking the strain off of them. When you take the strain off of them, like a sponge, the soft tissues will suck up the water and be ready for more exercise. A common rule of thumb is to take 5 minutes of rest for every 25 minutes of work-out, depending on your level of training and genetics. It’s critical to include some rest to avoid predisposing yourself towards fascia injury.

Read more here! And as always, stay tuned for more fascia findings.