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If you are one who only stretches (like a dog or cat after rising) with a yawn or in the company of a coffee first thing in the morning, you had better read on…
If you have ever observed an athlete before a game, a team before a competition, played a team sport or attended the gym or group exercise classes, you will have seen some of the basic stretches we may occasionally do or think about doing.
As a personal trainer and physiotherapist, I frequently observe people who have neglected stretching totally,
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or followed the identical stretching routine as the person next to them. Consequently, my prime concern is that most of us do not know how to stretch properly!
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Stretching is not only for the All blacks, gym-goer or athlete. I would say it is ideally a perfect ingredient of anybody’s daily regime – it doesn’t cost you anything, take too much time out of your day, absolutely no equipment is needed to do it, space is not an issue and you need not feel a drop of perspiration from doing it! Even better, the more you do it, the easier will be.
Always make sure you are warm and that you are taking slow, relaxed breaths when you stretch, trying to exhale as the muscle is stretching. It is that easy!
So what muscles should we be stretching? The key point I shall make is that only short muscles need to be stretched!
Failing to follow this guideline may lead to or perpetuate an imbalance. We are all different – in shape, size, age and gender and we all have a unique postural makeup created through genetics, past injuries, breathing patterns, medical history, occupational ergonomics and lifestyle. Tight muscles around a joint can pull your musculoskeletal system out of line, leading to lack of mobility, poor range of movement, poor posture, reduced energy levels, a lack of concentration and ultimately pain. These muscles need to be identified and emphasised in your stretching regime.
© Karina Balle 2009
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