Your calves act like a second heart to your body.
That’s the reason why you want to keep them flexible. We all want to move well and free.
How would you feel if running felt like flying or if you could just bounce your way into work?
Yes, life would be wonderful, making every day busy life a joy.
When calves pump they provide energy to your body with every step you take.
It is the ongoing contraction and release that pumps blood into your heart. When this system functions well it provides you wellbeing and a sense of knowing where you are. Calves act like a sensory system that will inform the brain that you are in an upright position. This way the brain can maintain your posture and protect your balance. Marja has designed this 5 day targeted focused course called 'Super Calves & Ankles', WHY?
I would like to see you move better!
The way you use your legs, feet, ankles and calves affects the whole body.
Calves are the motor for the moving body.
If you don’t stretch your calf muscles regularly then your muscles may shorten and therefore become tighter making our movements stiff, as well as our state of mind.
Only few are aware that if calves are tight how much they affect our mood.
We will feel restricted when we can’t put our feet down and run. If we can't move freely this makes anyone feel down. This is when we say we feel ‘stuck’. Whatever the reason, if stuck, our legs will weaken or swell as there is no strength to pump. If it is difficult to move, you’re bound to ache. These aches and pains vary from thumping, sharp, aching to numbing pain.
Did you know that when a muscle tightens it shortens. Having short calves make your ankles very stiff then difficult to move. It is necessary for ankles to be flexible so your walk looks elegant. Walking should never be shuffling. It is not fun to be hindered or suffer from laboured walking. The next step involves learning a most common reasons behind calf tightness. First in the list are poor shoes and high heels both divert and promote the wrong position of the foot creating pain and will affect how our feet grow. The next step involves learning a few common reasons behind calf tightness.
As your feet form a foundation for the moving body, why not work on your calves and feel amazing?
Calf muscle tightness that can be helped with stretching. Stretching helps ease tightness whilst improving calf muscle flexibility. It can also reduce pain. Method Putkisto is a nordic stretching method healing the muscles deep and permanently. With well performed you can correct your muscle balance and improve the functionality of the muscles and thus the well-being of the whole body.
If you're looking for some good calf stretches, here are a few to consider:
Enjoy: Exercises for Calf Muscles by Marja
Heel drop stretch - great way to elongate the calf is with a heel drop. To do this stand on a stair or step. Move the right leg back so the edge of the step sits under the ball of the foot. Drop the right heel down until you feel a stretch in the back of the lower leg. Repeat on the other side.
Calf raises. You can do these sitting or standing. If you do them standing, placing the sole of the foot on a stair or step allows for a greater range of motion, just keep on rising on your toes.
Jumping Jacks are good for increasing heart rate but they also help build stronger calves. In fact, they're good for building all of the leg muscles.
Tiptoe walk. Walk from one end of the room to the other end on your tiptoes and you're going to feel it in the calf. To make the most of this exercise, keep the heels off the floor.
INFO BOX - Calf Muscle Anatomy
is good to understand a bit about the anatomy of this muscle.
The calf muscle is located on the backside of the lower leg. The gastrocnemius muscle is the calf muscle that sits closest to the skin's surface. When tensing the lower leg, this is the muscle you see. The soleus muscle is located deeper within the calf. This muscle is smaller than the gastrocnemius.
The calf is responsible for flexion of the ankle. Plantar flexion is when the foot points away from the body. You also use pointer flexion when standing on the tip of your toes to reach something up above.
NOTE - feet tells about your health, if there are any symptoms you are concerned, seek medical advice,
Welcome to join us to Marja Putkisto's targeted Course, 5 days and 5 exercises Super calves & ankles, starting 5th Of June. Find out more now >>
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