Have you ever noticed your dog or cat as they luxuriate in
a good morning stretch? Have you watched your family get
out of the car after a long drive? There is something
about a good stretch that feels so incredibly gratifying.
I can’t think of a better way to instantly reduce muscular
tension and mental stress, and to increase my body
awareness.

Most of us however, don’t instinctualy stretch, in fact
flexibility training is very likely to be the most
neglected aspect of our physical fitness. If you’re not
stretching regularly, you will begin to lose what
flexibility you have, creating a loss of mobility, and
increased risk of injury. I’m reminded every time I watch
an elderly person walk down the road, or I see my four
month old grandson with his toes in his mouth, that unless
we counteract it, we lose our flexibility as we age.

Flexibility of a joint is its ability to move through a
full range of motion. When the range of motion of one
joint is increased, it affects the entire system, reducing
injury to joints, muscles, and tendons. Muscles that are
properly stretched have more freedom of movement, increased
supply of blood and nutrients, and greater strength.

Studies also show that nerve-impulse velocity (the time it
takes an impulse to travel to the brain and back) is
improved with stretching. This helps opposing muscle
groups work in a more coordinated fashion increasing your
physical performance no matter what activity you
participate in.

My students and I have found that not only does stretching
feel good, it also reduces muscular tension and promotes
relaxation. You quickly notice that your posture improves,
you back pain is eliminated, and the soreness that comes
when you work out harder than you should, disappears.

Take a lesson from your dog and wake up to a luxurious
stretch. Start looking for opportunities throughout your
day. Do you have thirty seconds on the microwave? Grab the
counter and drop your head between your shoulders for a
shoulder stretch, or reach down and touch your toes.
Watching TV? Sit on the floor with your legs crossed or sit
on top of your feet. Hours on the computer? Bend forward
in your chair or stretch your neck by bringing your chin to
your chest. Before long you’ll start enjoying the benefits
of stretching and feel the importance of making flexibility
training a part of your daily fitness routine.