Fun Healthy Living: How a Glass of Wine Can Improve Your Flexibility
In everyday life, we’re surrounded by countless established rules: don’t eat after six, drink plenty of water and take vitamins—it’s good for you, and exercise is a must. This is convenient because you don’t have to think too hard about it. However, if you engage your critical thinking, it becomes clear that exercise can be harmful, excessive water consumption isn’t always beneficial, and certain diets and dietary supplements can upset your stomach. The most striking “benefit vs. harm” dichotomy is seen in the fitness world: on one side, there are dedicated health enthusiasts with fitness trackers, precise calorie counts, and a non-alcoholic smoothie in hand; on the other, there are champagne and kebab lovers who prefer relaxation without restrictions. But where exactly is that golden mean? After all, without it, it’s impossible to maintain balance—whether riding a bike or achieving the perfect yoga pose. I’m drawn to the idea of flexibility—in thinking, the body, and nutrition. In other words, there’s no need to take extreme positions: if you’re craving a potato cake, eat it without guilt, and tomorrow you’ll easily return to your workouts, meditation, and healthy snacks.
Article contents:
Physical Activity, Wine, and Dopamine
About a year ago, combining my personal philosophy with my coaching experience, I developed a concept for a flexible healthy lifestyle, which eventually evolved into the Stretch&Wine method. I was inspired by Ali Walker, the founder of “drunken yoga” — a concept gaining more and more followers in North America. During these sessions, participants perform simple asanas in a relaxed manner while sipping wine—the emphasis is on enjoyment, without striving for records or self-criticism. This approach caught my attention, and I began to explore the topic more deeply. From a neurophysiological perspective, alcohol temporarily suppresses activity in the frontal lobes of the brain, thereby reducing self-control and self-judgment in comparison to others. This triggers the release of dopamine—a substance responsible for feelings of joy and the functioning of the “reward system”—which calms the nervous system. On a physiological level, alcohol facilitates muscle relaxation—many videos demonstrate how noticeably flexibility increases after a glass of wine. And for dessert—an interesting fact: ballerinas sometimes allow themselves a glass of wine right before a performance to make their legs feel lighter—information verified by them personally.
The Importance of Harmony
When I mention that Stretch & Wine classes use wine alongside yoga mats, blocks, and resistance bands, reactions tend to fall into two camps: “Great, that’s right up my alley” and “That’s weird—alcohol and exercise together?!” It’s important to understand that these aren’t workouts involving extreme exertion or programs for building muscle mass, but rather gentle sessions incorporating elements of cardio, joint mobility exercises, balance work, and flexibility training. Here, wine acts as an aid, a tool that helps achieve better sensations and results. I am categorically against working out while hungover or stretching while heavily intoxicated—balance is key, so we’re talking only about a moderate glass of wine during a workout, diluted with water in a 1:2 ratio. This combination of proper muscle warm-up with the relaxing effects of alcohol helps you relax as much as possible and release tension, while the concluding meditation to the sounds of the wine terroir provides a deep sense of calm.
In addition, moderate wine consumption during workouts helps improve blood circulation and dilate blood vessels, which has a positive effect on the effectiveness of stretching and muscle recovery. It is important to note that the choice of wine plays a significant role—it is recommended to use light varieties with moderate alcohol content and natural antioxidants, which support overall health. Such classes also help foster a mindful approach to one’s body and emotions, teaching participants to listen to themselves and find inner balance. Regular Stretch & Wine practice helps not only improve physical fitness but also relieve psychological stress, which is especially relevant given the pace of modern life.
Expanding your own boundaries—both physical and mental—relaxation, pleasant emotions, and excellent results—that’s how Stretch & Wine works. I invite you to join the classes!
