The importance of stretching

[Davino]

Thanks to holidays, I have time to stretch every morning and it makes all the difference. The ability to have a flexible body relaxes the mind and nervous system, you feel more at ease the rest of the day and everything flows.

It's amazing how such a simple thing can impact your experience of life so much. A good 30min morning stretching is more than enough. I had forgotten how good it is. Returning to the good basics I guess.

[Cireeric]

I have absolutely no knowledge of stretching. Is there some good basic-program or introductory-video you would recommand?

[Miguel1]

I second this. I dance and play football (soccer) a lot.

Without stretching regularly, my body is super stiff, which affects mentally.

[enchanted]

@DavinoWhat routine do you recommend?

[Sugarcoat]

I am also like this. 
 

When my body feels stiff, it distracts me mentally, makes me less present and attentive to what’s going on outside me, makes it harder for me to sit still to study and focus.

I have problems with my spine, so I am extremely tense in my neck/traps/jaw etc 24/7

But 30 minutes neck stretching a day is the only thing that has given me significant improvement

Not only that, but I feel uglier when my body feels off. 
 

The combo of increased blood flow from running then stretching is best imo. You feel softer and more like your body is able to be used and assist you properly in life instead of distracting you with unpleasant sensations 

Edited 22 hours ago by Sugarcoat

[Davino]

2 hours ago, Cireeric said:

I have absolutely no knowledge of stretching. Is there some good basic-program or introductory-video you would recommand?

I haven't found "the perfect one" yet. I just enter into YouTube and put full body stretching. 

These two are decent:

 

 

 

 

[Davino]

10 minutes ago, Sugarcoat said:

I have problems with my spine, so I am extremely tense in my neck/traps/jaw etc 24/7

I have problems with my spine (scoliosis) and this yoga Namaskar has really helped me. I do it every morning:

 

 

[Cireeric]

4 hours ago, Davino said:

I haven't found "the perfect one" yet. I just enter into YouTube and put full body stretching. 

These two are decent:

 

 

 

 

Thanks!

[Sugarcoat]

5 hours ago, Davino said:

I have problems with my spine (scoliosis) and this yoga Namaskar has really helped me. I do it every morning:

 

 

That’s great!
I sometimes bring my arms  over my head and back to release some tension in my upper body and it helps to a certain degree so I can see how that video can help. 
 

My neck/spine issue is related to compression of the spine. So the number one thing that has helped me the most is lifting my head straight up with my arms and holding for a long time (it decompresses the spine). 

[UnbornTao]

Definitely. I tend to stretch a bit while showering. After the practice, you could also lie on your back on the floor, with one palm on top of the other just below your navel, focusing on your breath and breathing from the center, almost like a meditation. You might even start the whole routine with a cold shower - could become a nice sequence of habits.

[Sugarcoat]

1 minute ago, UnbornTao said:

I tend to stretch a bit while showering.

That water bill 😭

[Jodistrict]

I stretch every day.  I also go to a yoga class several times a week.   Yoga made me realize how stiff I was since there are postures that twist the limbs of the body in unusual ways.   Yoga also strengthens, twists the spine in numerous ways, and improves balance. 

[aurum]

Passive stretching is conformist nonsense.

At best, it gives you some temporary relief.