Stretching as We Age: Transformative Benefits with Postura’s Kevin Akbari
Stretching as we age can be a game-changer for maintaining mobility, vitality, and overall well-being, especially for couples over 50 and empty nesters. On the latest episode of Unconventional Lives, we—Craig and Kellie McHugh—sat down with Kevin Akbari, the founder of Postura, a specialist in assisted stretching for seniors. Kevin’s transformative work helped Craig’s wheelchair-bound mother walk unassisted, inspiring this deep dive into why stretching matters as we age. From Kevin’s personal journey of surviving two near-death accidents to the science behind Postura’s in-home stretching programs, we explore how this fundamental exercise can prevent injuries, enhance quality of life, and redefine aging. Whether you’re an avid pickleball player or simply want to move with ease, this guide offers practical strategies for healthy aging through stretching. #HealthyAging #StretchingForSeniors #CouplesOver50
Why Stretching Matters as We Age
Stretching as we age isn’t just about flexibility—it’s a foundational exercise that can dramatically improve mobility, prevent injuries, and enhance quality of life. On our podcast, Kevin Akbari of Postura emphasized, “Stretching is so special… it’s almost like making sure the gas is full in the car.” For couples over 50, the body undergoes significant changes, including a loss of muscle mass, flexibility, and posture. Kevin noted, “We lose 10% of our mobility every decade… then 1 to 5% per year after 50,” highlighting the exponential decline that can lead to falls—a leading cause of injury in seniors.
Craig’s mother, who had struggled with mobility for decades, exemplifies the stakes. “She was wheelchair-bound… struggling to even transfer,” Craig shared, until Kevin’s assisted stretching helped her walk unassisted. This breakthrough underscores stretching’s role in overcoming the “muscle guarding effect,” where the brain sets arbitrary limits to avoid pain, as Kevin explained. For empty nesters, stretching can unlock new possibilities, from gardening to traveling, as Kellie noted about her mother: “She’s been an avid gardener… that has not been a part of her life in many years.” Stretching supports healthy aging by priming the body for movement, reducing injury risk, and fostering independence. #StretchingAsWeAge #SeniorMobility #HealthyAging
What Is Assisted Stretching? Insights from Postura
Assisted stretching, as offered by Postura, involves a certified professional guiding you through stretches in a controlled, personalized manner. Kevin described it as, “An expert… takes you through guided stretches… creates a load on your body,” using a massage-style table to achieve deeper, longer stretches than you could on your own. Unlike traditional stretching—such as a quick hamstring stretch at the gym—assisted stretching uses the practitioner’s body to create a “push-pull reaction,” where clients push back against the load, building mind-muscle connection.
This approach addresses imbalances and misalignments, as Kevin explained: “You build mind-muscle connection… learn how to use certain muscles.” For seniors, this is crucial, as it helps re-align the body and improve proprioception (awareness of body position in space). Postura’s in-home sessions, which include a dynamic warm-up, deliberate stretches, and a cool-down phase, ensure safety and effectiveness. “Having somebody there to guide you… takes it to the next level,” Kevin said, making assisted stretching a powerful tool for health-conscious seniors looking to redefine their aging journey. #AssistedStretching #PosturaWellness #SeniorHealth
Kevin Akbari’s Journey: From Near-Death to Stretching Advocate
Kevin Akbari’s journey into stretching advocacy is a testament to its transformative power. “I’ve survived two near-death motor vehicle accidents… statistically, I should be dead,” he shared on the podcast. These accidents left him with severe injuries: multiple concussions, broken collarbone, ribs, collapsed lungs, ruptured organs, a broken pelvis with bolts, and an ankle with two plates and 13 screws. “I’m a bit of a robot,” he joked, reflecting on the destruction and rebuilding of his body.
During his recovery, particularly after the second accident during COVID, Kevin was wheelchair-bound and on heavy medications, including painkillers and antidepressants. “I was broken up in the head and in the body,” he said, facing a turning point at 36: “If I’m on this stuff now, what’s my life going to look like in 10, 20, 30 years?” Unable to engage in yoga or Pilates due to intimidation and COVID closures, he turned to stretching at home. “I was too embarrassed even to stretch in the gym,” he admitted, but stretching in the privacy of his home opened his body, improved posture, and alleviated discomfort. This inspired Postura, a service designed to bring stretching to others, especially seniors, to enhance their quality of life. #KevinAkbari #StretchingJourney #HealthyAging
The Seasons of Life: Stretching’s Role After 50
Kevin introduced a “seasons of life” framework to contextualize aging and stretching’s importance. From 0-25 (spring), the body grows rapidly, recovering easily from injuries. From 25-55 (summer), you’re at your prime, but by 55-75 (fall)—the empty nester phase—mobility declines significantly. “You get to that position… you’re a 55 and older empty nester… it’s a new season,” Kevin said, noting that many either plateau or seek rebirth through health and wellness.
For couples over 50, this season offers a chance to “redefine what aging looks like,” as Kevin put it, by focusing on fundamentals like stretching. Without proper care, the body’s decline—loss of muscle mass, flexibility, and posture—exposes seniors to injuries, especially from activities like pickleball, which Craig and Kellie have discussed in past episodes. Kevin warned, “That one injury can… handicap you,” emphasizing prevention through stretching. By addressing these changes proactively, as supported by Harvard Health, stretching can maintain mobility, reduce fall risk, and set the stage for a vibrant winter season (75+). #SeasonsOfLife #StretchingAfter50 #EmptyNesters
Benefits of Stretching for Seniors: Beyond the Physical
Stretching offers profound benefits for seniors, both physical and emotional. Physically, it improves flexibility, expands range of motion, and reduces discomfort, as Kevin explained: “We can open the body back up.” This was evident in Craig’s mother, who regained the ability to walk unassisted, rekindling joys like gardening. “She’s now gonna be able to start that… that would bring her joy,” Kellie shared, highlighting how mobility restores independence and community engagement.
Emotionally, stretching addresses the psychological barriers that often immobilize seniors. “There’s a big mental component,” Kevin noted, explaining how stretching builds confidence and shifts mindset. For Craig’s mother, this meant overcoming years of “everything hurts” thinking, as Kevin gently pushed past her brain’s limits: “Your brain goes, ‘Hey, not as bad as I thought.’” This aligns with findings from Mayo Clinic, which notes that stretching reduces stress and promotes mental wellness. For health-conscious seniors, stretching fosters a holistic approach to aging, enhancing quality of life in later years. #StretchingBenefits #SeniorVitality #HealthyAging
What to Expect from a Postura Stretching Session
A typical Postura session, as Kevin described, is a personalized, in-home experience designed for convenience and privacy. “We come to you… that takes a bunch of excuses off the table,” he said, addressing the intimidation many seniors feel in public settings. Sessions begin with an assessment using digital software to measure posture and movement, followed by a table assessment where practitioners evaluate mobility and strength.
Each hour-long session, typically held 1-2 times a week, includes a dynamic warm-up, guided stretches, and a cool-down phase. “We’re moving around your limbs… there’s constant feedback,” Kevin explained, ensuring safety and effectiveness. For empty nesters, this tailored approach can range from therapeutic relaxation to a workout-like experience, depending on goals. Whether aiming to walk independently or play pickleball without injury, Postura’s sessions offer a fundamental step toward midlife reinvention, as Kevin noted: “I just really want people to stretch.” #PosturaSessions #InHomeStretching #MidlifeReinvention
Redefining Aging: Stretching as a Fundamental Exercise
Stretching is a fundamental exercise that can redefine aging, especially for seniors. Kevin likened it to “drinking water and breathing,” emphasizing its role in priming the body for daily movements like reaching for a cabinet or picking up a package. “If I can make that a few percentage points easier… that has an effect,” he said, highlighting how small improvements accumulate over time.
For couples over 50, stretching prevents injuries—particularly from falls, which Craig noted can be a “death sentence” after 75 due to broken bones. CDC data supports this, stating falls are a leading cause of injury in seniors, often due to reduced muscle mass and mobility. Stretching builds the foundation to catch oneself, as Kevin explained: “It’s the structure of the house.” By starting with the basics, as opposed to quick fixes like pain medication, seniors can live well into their later years, as Kevin’s 92-year-old client exemplifies: “If I knew I was gonna live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” #RedefiningAging #FundamentalExercise #HealthyAging
Conclusion
Stretching as we age is a fundamental step toward a vibrant, injury-free life, as Kevin Akbari of Postura shared on Unconventional Lives. From his recovery journey to transforming seniors’ lives, Kevin’s insights highlight stretching’s physical and emotional benefits. Whether you’re an empty nester seeking to redefine aging or a senior aiming to walk unassisted, Postura’s in-home sessions offer a path to vitality. Start where you are—stretch, move, and thrive! Subscribe to Unconventional Lives for more healthy aging tips. #StretchingAsWeAge #HealthyAging #MidlifeReinvention