Focus – Stretching

We have many body parts. Our stretching exercises are not intended to be exhaustive. We pick areas that are most important for our primary purposes – “fall preparation” and “solving chronic pains”. We stretch to provide pain relieve. Furthermore, we want to improve mobility and flexibility so that our body can respond appropriately during imbalances and falls.

Do understand that finding pain relieve is not the same as finding the cause. For example, common causes like posture, over-use, job hazard, mis-alignment, scar tissues from past injuries can all be root causes. In the ideal world, you should address both at the same time. However, a lot of the external constraints like money, time, availability, etc. are all harsh realities.

What: you have know what you are stretching and understand also why it is important. During the stretch, really try to feel through the stretch to make sure it is stretching the right part of the body. For example, if we are working on the groin area, you should feel the stretch on your knee or your back.

Lock: When you try to wring a wet towel, if you hold it at the end, the twisting action is spread throughout the entire towel. However, if you “lock” your hands around a specific target, you will be able the localize it much better and therefore enhances the wringing motion.

Perfect 10: The number “10” consist of two digits, the “1” and the “0”. We use the digit “1” to represent the pose itself. We use the “0” to denote the movements or angle changes that we should do to complete stretch an area. For example, all the twists and wipes.

Last inch: Most people stop right when they feel the stretch and then bounces in and out. We do it slightly differently. We stop and hold it and allow the brain’s alarm signal to settle down (usually a few seconds). Then we breath out and we find that we have yet another inch to go. This 2nd position is your physical limit. The 1st position is only your psychological limit.

Do remember that stretching and strengthening goes hand-in-hand. You need both flexibility and strength for the body to function properly.

Memorization trick: Use this phrase to remember the first letter of each of the above keywords “We Love Pizza – Lots of cheese”