Flexibility?!
Question:
What is the best regimen in getting very flexible? How long should I stretch? How many times a day/week? Suggested excercises?
Answers:
Yoga or Pilates' are great for flexiblity and it gives you a great work out too.
I perfet Pilates' over Yoga, I feel it works your muscles a bit more.
As far as stretching goes..never stretch a cold muscle. Make sure you do some type of warm up first.
Tammy
Other Answers:
I try to stretch everyday, in the morning mostly, and i normally hold for up to 20 seconds, i cant really type out how to do it, but i mostly went back to what i was shown in gym class and paid attention to athletes and how they stretched their bodies. because to them its almost vital that they do so. if all else fails get on the floor and just see what you can come up with to stretch a certin muscle, just dont push it you dont want to pull something :)
Good advice here. Also don't "bounce" when you stretch. Do it in a smooth motion and relax a bit at a time. As you relax, the muscle will stretch a little more. If you "bounce," you could force the muscle to stretch more than it's ready to. Then you could end up with an injury.
Yoga! You can do it every day and not hurt yourself. Start out on a beginner program and you'll be surprised at how fast you increase you ablility and flexibility! If you don't want to pay the big bucks for classes buy a dvd and that will set you back about $20.00 and you can do it whenever it suits your schedule. My favorite instructor is Sara Ivanhoe. Just google her and you'll find her dvds, she's great, easy to follow and fun!
Answers: