The Importance of Stretching

I’m going to be honest with you all. I hate yoga, but there are a lot of benefits anyone can get from incorporating stretching and flexibility into your daily routine. I’m going to discuss benefits of stretching and then go over some flexibility work you can do from your chair or couch.

Benefits

Reduces your risk of injury, increases your range of motion and flexibility, increases blood flow to your muscles, improves your posture, decreases headaches, great for stress relief, and much more.

Seated Stretches

Each of these should be done to the point of resistance and held for 12-15 seconds.

• Sit up straight and lower your right ear towards your right shoulder. Repeat on left side.
• Lower your chin to your chest. Repeat raising your chin to the air.
• Stretch your right arm across your chest and push to the point of resistance with your left hand. Repeat crossing left arm across your chest and push with your right hand.
• Rotate your trunk to the right and look over your right shoulder. Repeat to the left.
• Cross your right ankle over your left knee and gently push down on your right knee. Repeat with other leg.
• Straighten your right leg in front of you and keep your foot on the floor. Keeping your back straight, lean forward from the hip till you feel the stretch. Repeat with the left leg. try to do both legs.

Here are some pictures to help along with a few more to try.

Try to do these stretches daily and you will see the benefits of improved flexibility within a week. Report back on positives you experience from starting a stretching regime.