As you know, you should always stretch before starting a physical effort. To warm up, stretching refers to all stretching and relaxation techniques. The benefits of stretching? Optimize the condition of the body’s muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments…
the stretching (“extension” in English) is initially a gentle (but very sporty) gymnastics which is directly inspired by yoga! Practiced before and after physical exercise, stretching postures aim to optimize the state of all the muscles of the body, joints, tendons and ligaments… These techniques improve balance, blood circulation and energies.
The benefits of stretching
Through slow exercises, muscles work deep. The objective is to soften all of his muscles and therefore of his body, to improve his flexibility, to eliminate stiffness and therefore to maintain his physical shape.
Thanks to this slow and deep work, which often takes place to soft music, stretching helps to evacuate mental tensions, foremost among which is stress. Relaxation is therefore at the rendezvous!
Breathing is indeed essential, not only to achieve this goal but also to stretch your muscles in depth. Experience: Focusing on your breathing and by taking your time, you will realize that the muscles stretch much more easily! This is the first of the benefits of stretching.
Slow but intense activity
We often consider stretching as a slow activity, and therefore very gentle. Warning: appearances are deceptive! Indeed, despite its apparent ease, stretching is an intense activity.
The gestures are relatively complex, and it is necessary to perform them well, with the help of a coach for example, to avoid any accident.
However, stretching remains an activity open to everyone, sports and non-sports, young or old, provided certain precautions are taken.
It is therefore better to follow a few courses to adopt from the start the right positions and good gestures. Do not hesitate to call on a coach or seek advice from a physiotherapist.
Stretching should be done gently
Then, no need to force: go easy and at your own pace. If you feel that a muscle is resisting or a joint is hurting, report it to the coach and rest.
If you have a cramp, stop for a few moments to relieve it, take a deep breath, and then resume the exercise. And especially, do not be discouraged : the benefits of stretching are real provided you persevere…
If you are new to stretching, start with the following pattern: stretch, relax, then stretch. For up to 20 seconds, hold the position inhaling deeply through the nose and in exhaling through the mouth.
