Tag Archives: stretching

The Do’s and Don’ts of Stretching

Stretching is an important part of overall fitness. It can improve range of motion and flexibility. Be sure to use correct form when you are stretching and in the meanwhile, here are some do’s and don’ts to keep yourself on track. Do: Stretch after a warm up and perform them with slow deliberateness in order to avoid injury Listen to your body and don’t try to overextend yourself, stretching is not supposed to injure your muscles Practice holding your stretches for 10 seconds, holding for loads longer doesn’t offer you much more Breathe through the stretches, practice deep breathing in … Continue reading →

Warm Ups & Cool Downs – What You Need to Know

Warming up is what we do before exercising. Cooling down is what we do afterwards. You need to be sure you understand not only why we warm up and cool down, but right things to do and the things that you definitely don’t. Do: Give yourself at least 5 to 10 minutes to warm up before beginning a work out Practice full range of motion for your joints during warm up Start out slow and easy, remember it is called warming up for a reason Be sure to give yourself 3 to 6 minutes to cool down after a work … Continue reading →

The High 5 on Stretching

Stretching is not the highest rated activity for most people. In fact, I am not overly fond of stretching though I know better than to do any exercise or intense physical activity without a good stretch. Stretching is important though. Stretching helps you relieve tension in the muscles after a workout that can reduce cramps and other muscle pain. Stretching can also warm up a muscle, loosening them for the workout and prevent strains and tears in the muscle fiber that are pain inducing rather than strength building. So let’s talk about our high 5 on stretching: Stretching helps you … Continue reading →

Spring Forward to Action 30-Day Challenge – Day 17: Cardio & Flexibility

Good morning! Happy Tuesday! How are you feeling today? We’re counting down with just 13 days left to go to complete the Spring Forward to Action 30-Day Challenge. I enjoy the flexibility days as much as I do strength training. When I studied yoga for two months, I discovered that I really loved flexibility workouts. As mentioned at the bottom of today’s workout, if you’d like to substitute Yoga for your flexibility and cardio components today, that’s fine. Yoga can get your heart rate up, build strength, increase flexibility and provide a very thorough overall body workout. Cardio Okay, so … Continue reading →

Spring Forward to Action 30-Day Challenge – Day 12: Cardio & Flexibility

Good morning! How are you today? How are you feeling? Are your muscles sore? Are you energy levels higher or lower? As you are now approaching the halfway mark of the 30-Day Action Challenge, it’s important to make sure you are not over training. Signs of over training include: Extreme Fatigue Trembling Muscles Illness Headaches If you are over training or experiencing these symptom>s. It’s important to take the day off, take a step back and tone down the intensity of the workout. You may need to go to performing your workout every other day rather than every day. You … Continue reading →

Spring Forward to Action 30-Day Challenge – Day 5: Flexibility

Welcome back to the flexibility portion of Day 5. On Day 3, we also performed some flexibility exercises. You can certainly repeat that stretching routine if you like or perform the following. Reminder Flexibility exercises will also help tone and firm muscle appearance. Sagging arms, loose thighs and calves, even abdominal muscles can benefit from a good flexibility workout and help you achieve a more fit and trim appearance. For our flexibility exercises today, you will not need any equipment. Instead, you should be dressed in loose, comfortable clothing. You need to hydrate. Drink plenty of water before, during and … Continue reading →

Spring Forward to Action 30 Day Challenge – Day 3: Flexibility

You should perform flexibility exercises 2 to 3 times per week. Flexibility exercises increase your range of motion as well as increase the support around your joints. The more flexible you are, the more you minimize risks of injuries to your joints. Flexibility exercises will also help tone and firm muscle appearance. Sagging arms, loose thighs and calves, even abdominal muscles can benefit from a good flexibility workout and help you achieve a more fit and trim appearance. For our flexibility exercises today, you will not need any equipment. Instead, you should be dressed in loose, comfortable clothing. You need … Continue reading →

What is Thai Yoga?

Though I’ve heard it called Thai Yoga, the type of body work I am referring to is also called Traditional Thai Massage or Thailand Medical Massage. Thai Yoga is an ancient art that combines massage, stretching, acupressure, twisting, relaxation, and meditation. It has roots in traditional Yoga and Buddhist spiritual practices. I have been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of a Traditional Thai Massage, and also got the opportunity to observe some moves recently. Like the idea of qi in acupuncture and acupressure, Thai Yoga believes that the body is filled with Prana, or life energy. Prana … Continue reading →

Pets and Pilates

No, I’m not suggesting you pick up doggy-sized sweatbands and take Spot to the gym. My mother recently started taking Pilates classes with my aunt. They shared an interesting tidbit about Pilates that got me thinking: Pilates is based in part on how animals move. Now, I’ve never subjected myself to a Pilates class. But since Mom planted that seed in my head, I’ve been watching my dogs and how they move. Especially the stretches. As soon as Lally and Moose get up from a snooze, they stretch. Backwards first, front paws reaching forward, toes splayed. Then a forwards stretch, … Continue reading →