Because it relaxes your mind and tunes up your body, stretching should be part of your daily life. You will find that regular stretching will do the following things:
*Release muscle tension and make the body feel more relaxed
*Help coordination by allowing for more free and easier movement
*Increase range of motion
*Help prevent injury such as muscle strains
*Help maintain flexibility so as time passes you do not become stiffer and stiffer
*Develop body awareness. As you stretch certain parts of the body, you focus on them and get in touch with them
*Help loosen the mind's control of the body so that the body moves for its own sake rather than for competition or ego
There has been some controversy in recent years about stretching before you warm up. If you are going to stretch, will you get injured if you stretch without specifically warming up first? No-if you stretch comfortable and not strenuously. And remember all athletes must stretch before and after any sport performance: practice, game, and workouts.
Stretching after exercise is of vital importance. Why? Because stretching allows the muscle you worked to lengthen rather than shorten after you strength train. The muscle naturally wants to shorten after a workout because it is going into re-build mode. In order to have long, lengthy muscle tone you need to stretch the muscle after working it. Also, stretching, will prevent muscle soreness muscle because you are not allowing it to shorten and tighten up.
Here are some stretching tips to help you:
Learn to listen to your body. If the stretch builds or you feel pain your body is telling you there is a problem. If this happens, ease off gradually until the stretch feels right.
Bouncing while stretching can actually make you tighter, rather than more flexible.
Be sure to hold only stretches that are comfortable. Be careful not to overstretch.
Many people suffer from tension in the upper body because of stress. Quite a few muscular athletes are stiff in the upper body because of not stretching that area.
It is better to under stretch than over stretch. Always be at a point where you can stretch further, and never at a point where you have gone as far as you can go.
Be careful if you have had knee problems. Do not stretch with any feeling of actual pain. Use control so you find the proper stretch feeling.
Stretching is not competitive. You may well not be able to touch your toes. The point is for you to get more flexible, not to stretch as far as others!
Always remember to bend your knees when standing up. This lessons any strain on the lower back.
People tend to spend more time on the first leg, arm, or area they stretch, and they usually will stretch their "easy" or more flexible side first. Thus the more time is spent on the "good" side and less on the "bad" side. To remedy this, stretch your tight side first. This will help even out your overall flexibility. Note: the side of the body you use most is generally the tighter side. For example, if you are right-handed your right side is generally tighter than your left.
Other things to be aware of when you stretch:
*We are different every day. Some days we are tighter, other days looser.
*Drink plenty of water. Your muscles stretch more easily when your body is properly hydrated. *You can control what you feel by what you do.
*Regularity is one of the most important factors in stretching. Stretch regularly and you will naturally want to become more active and fit.
*Don't compare yourself to others. Even if you are tight or inflexible, don't let this stop you from stretching and improving yourself.
*Proper stretching means stretching within your own limits, being relaxed, and not making comparisons with what other people can do.
*Stretching keeps your body ready for movement.
*Stretch whenever you feel like it. It will always make you feel good.
Happy Training!!
Kathie Ingram Owen is a Certified Fitness Trainer with Certified Expertise in Athlete & Older Adult Fitness. She enjoys helping others achieve a well-rounded self through fitness: mind, body and spirit. Kathie provides online fitness training to clients all over the world. She also trains clients in person and is a Certified Fitness Instructor teaching a variety of aerobic classes.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathie_Owen
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