In the past, I hardly ever took the time to stretch out my body. My muscles were stiff and I walked like I was marching in the military (tensed up and robotic). My range of motion was shorten and tight (poor joints). I could not tolerate it anymore so I booked a few sessions of yoga and it kicked my butt! Starting out I was so stiff but I attended the yoga sessions consistently after a month I started feeling better and flexible (sexy)! From then on I made a promise to myself to never overlook stretching again! I will never neglect my body like that again.

Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy. We all need flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints without proper extensibility you will have limited movement and poor exercise performance, as well as your muscles being shorten and tight.

Benefits of stretching

• Better balance to help avoid falls
• Helps blood flow through your body
• Increases range of motion
• May prevent injury
• Relieve joint stress
• Decrease muscle soreness
• Maintain the functional length of all muscles
• Correct muscle imbalances
• You can stretch anywhere!

Reap the benefits and start incorporating stretching everyday even if it is just for 5 minutes or more daily. Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds. Make it a goal to stretch in the mornings and evenings. Before and after exercise. If you need help send me an email.

Some ideas of stretches: neck rotations, shoulder shrugs, arm circles, chest and shoulder stretch, quad stretch, standing hamstring stretch, upper and lower back stretches, and hip flexor stretch.