I recently covered a class that left me shocked. I was absolutely amazed at their lack of mobility, strength and fitness levels. The class participants weren’t old, injured or recovering from illness but they were stiff, weak and unfit, by unfit I don’t mean they were overweight and out of shape, I mean they were puffing and panting after a few squats. I know people in daily life aren’t as active as they used to be and as a population we are more sedentary but the effect this has on our bodies is scary. This class couldn’t sit crossed legged on the floor, they couldn’t sit with a straight back despite blocks and raises under their bums, they couldn’t get up off the floor from a kneeling position and none of them were over 55.  Their lack of mobility is due to lack of use, sitting all day is shortening the hip flexors and hamstrings, leading to back pain and other posture related problems. This sitting down sedentary lifestyle is causing poor fitness levels due to inactivity, Ive 80 year old participants that come to classes 3 times a week that are fitter than this class, they are fitter because they move more, they keep active and exercise regularly. If you don’t keep active you will lose fitness, strength, flexibility and become old before your time. Nobody wants to be weak, stiff and immobile when they are old let alone when they are young, so get moving and incorporate some physical activity into your life and stop sitting down all day.