Rebalance Your Body to Improve Posture and Performance
Our bodies become unbalanced and stuck due to chronic work habits, repetitive movements, single directional sports and/or injuries. Do you play tennis, golf or sit at a desk for 8 hours a day 5 days per week? We end up tighter on one side or in one direction. I see people in the gym stretching usually in a single direction, e.g hamstring stretching with the leg straight and they hold the stretch for 20- 30s on each side. Each side gets the same amount of time and the level of attention.
Will that increase your flexibility? Sure, but you will still be unbalanced. Try stretching the "loose" side once and the "tight" side twice. Remember to breath and relax as you stretch; if you are holding your breath it is too intense. Keep stretching until you find that you are not making any further gains and feel "loose."
For example my right leg is shorter, I broke the right tibia in a cross-country ski race (long story ask me about it) nearly 20 years ago and had abdominal surgery almost 30 years ago therefore I need to focus on stretching my right hip flexors and quadriceps twice. I first stretch the right, then stretch my left and finally finish with the right side.
Keep the 2 to 1 ratio in mind to achieve a more balanced body. Next stretching post I will discuss how much time each stretch should be held.
Stay "Loose"
Alfred Ball Certified Fascial Stretch Therapist - STW Level I, STW Level II (Lower Body)Learn more about Fascial Stretch Therapy
posted by Alfred Ball at
10:53 AM
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