By Bronwyn Ison
You have a finely tuned workout routine and you are feeling pretty good about staying on task. This is rejuvenating you and you should be proud of yourself. I would venture to guess your exercise regimen does not include stretching. How important is it to add stretching to your exercise routine? In my personal and professional opinion, stretching is essential.
You might be saying, of course a yoga instructor is going to tell me I need to stretch everyday. Research tells us, regular stretching or engaging in a regular yoga practice will help relieve or prevent chronic pain. Now, how does this sound? Are you ready to stretch? If you were to release tension from your hamstrings, quadriceps, hips or shoulders would you consider taking a few moments to loosen up your muscles? Most of us would say, of course and sign me up! If you sit at a desk or commute in your car you are likely bound in your hips. Hence rendering your hamstrings, hips and lower back feeling tight. Does this sound like you? If so, it is time to make a change.
Stretching requires minimal effort. Find one-minute multiple times throughout your day to stretch. Fold forward, hinging at your hips and reach for your toes. Immediately you have said hello to your hamstrings, released your lower back and reversed the blood flow by enabling your head to release towards the earth. Sounds good already, right? Need a great hip stretch? Stay seated in your chair, draw your right leg up and place your ankle on your left thigh. This may be enough of a stretch for you. If not, gently lean forward and you should feel a deeper stretch.
Let’s face it you are not going to become flexible over night. However, you can begin to improve your flexibility by stretching, daily! Be patient with yourself. You didn’t become bound and tight in one day. Years of no stretch has impaired you with short muscles and decreased flexibility.
Begin by keeping it simple. If you intend on stretching alone rather than joining a yoga class, so be it and just begin moving. I often say yoga is oil to your joints. Keep your muscles and joints lubricated. Work at your stretches conservatively but progressively. Do NOT over extend yourself, physically. Do NOT lock your joints. Keep the movements subtle but challenge yourself so you may see progress. Maintain a healthy diet. Approach your stretching time with a positive attitude. Setting aside 2-3 minutes of stretching can also shift your entire focus from negative to positive.
Stretching prior to and after your workout will make all the difference in your routine as well. Loosen up the body prior to and in conclusion of a solid workout. I guarantee you will feel better overall. You might decide you like stretching so much that you sign up for your first yoga class! When you are ready to take the leap… visit us at Evolve Yoga!
Bronwyn Ison, Owner of Evolve Yoga. 50-991 Washington Street.
www.e-volveyoga.com (760) 564-YOGA (9642)
