When you observe cats, you are quickly fascinated by how they move with grace, flexibility and discretion. In the air of nothing, they are able to jump to a very high height to access an observation post, without it seems to cause any problem. And that's not all, because they're able to sneak into much smaller spaces than we would think. But what's their secret? Are they the kings of Yoga? ? Moreover, they are often associated with this discipline that develops our own flexibility. Unless it's yoga that took the cat model...
Cat flexibility: a history of articulations
Certainly, the cat has powerful muscles. But this would not be enough to explain his incredible abilities. It is at the level of his skeleton that one finds the explanation, and more precisely of his joints.
In fact, the cat is made for hunting like its wild cousins of all sizes. The entire skeleton is therefore both light and solid. If you look in particular at your spine, you realize that it has greater flexibility than ours. This is due to all the joints that connect each vertebrae. Their structure and mobility are different from ours and most mammals.
Another example is that the equivalent of our clavicle is connected to the sternum in a much more flexible way, with only one ligament. This is what allows the cat to contort in a tiny opening, without debunking his shoulder!
Maintain healthy cat joints
Even though the cat is originally equipped with an out-of-standard physics to optimize its extraordinary flexibility, it is nevertheless important to keep it healthy.
Overweight is the first enemy of cat joints. If we think first of diabetes in the obese cat, we must know that the joints and tendons are also in great pain. So they're going to use it much faster and cause early osteoarthritis.
In elderly cats, this osteoarthritis is almost inevitable. It is estimated that 80% of cats are infected from the age of 12. On the other hand, one can act to reverse its appearance as late as possible: maintain a shape weight and give his cat a quality diet accompanied by specific dietary supplements.
Cat and Yoga
With this incredible flexibility, the cat is the animal that best represents Yoga. There are many positions (named Asanas) that use the name of an animal: dog, eagle, butterfly, cobra, camel... But the best known, for neophytes, is perhaps the position of the cat (Marjarasana), which, moreover, is a basic and simple posture. A peak for our cat that can take about any position!
Still, the cat is so admired for its flexibility and Zen attitude that a new discipline was born: Yoga Cat. This consists of practicing Yoga as a group while allowing cats to move freely. In a way, this is the principle of a cat bar applied to yoga!
It is not said that cats apply the same postures as participants! But they probably don't stay inactive. While maintaining their natural phlegm, they frequently invite themselves on carpets to come and rumble or start a small toilet. Quite rightly, the cat's attitude is a perfect emulation with its agility. In addition, its relaxed and gentle expression is fully compatible with the state of mind of Yoga.
