This is How it Goes: The Risks of NOT Stretching

This is how it goes...

Muscles tighten as we do daily life and climb in age...

When muscles tighten, they shorten…

When muscles shorten, they restrict range of motion and cause pain in our joints…

When joints become painful, we move less…

When we move less, joints stiffen and body functions slow down…

When body functions slow down, circulation of blood and oxygen is reduced…

When circulation is reduced, other health issues occur…

Now we are so tight that we can’t move without pain, so we restrict our mobility even more to avoid it.

And then we are set up for even more health issues.

You know what I’m going to say...

Can we just stretch already?!

Remember: movement is medicine.

If we don’t STRETCH, we get STUCK IN OUR BODIES.

End of story!

I am shouting this from the mountaintop, because I am trying to wake up anyone who will listen to me.

We have to help our bodies out by elongating tight muscle tissue and relieving our joints so that we can stay mobile, active and independent and PAIN FREE!

It can be done with only 10 minutes of stretching each day.

Here is a scary statistic for you:

9 out of 10 of my stretching students have had a joint replacement or surgery. 9 out of 10! That’s a shocking number.

All of these students say that they wish they had known the benefits of stretching before they had their surgery. It possibly could have been avoided.  

If we can find the time to work out and engage in other hobbies, surely we can find time to stretch!

You see, a long muscle is a strong muscle. And a tight muscle is a weak muscle.

Stretching each day is a form of “corrective exercise,” taking care of our bodies from the inside out.

Stretching keeps us in the game of life—NOT sidelined.

The benefits are too good to pass up...

Stretching improves our body’s ability to move through ranges of motion with more ease and reduces the risk of injury.

Research shows that stretching can also enhance brain function and relieve stress and tension in the body. The brain knows when we do something good for our body and rewards us for helping it out!  

I care deeply for every person on this planet; my goal is to reach as many as I can to spread the good news that no one has to be “stuck in their body.”  

The benefits of stretching are life changing and if you have read this far, you know it!

Let’s change “how it goes…”

Keep stretching—then stretch some more!

XO,

Connie

 
Try these stretches:
It Doesn't Come in a Bottle
It Doesn't Come in a Bottle

This is a really hard question to ask, but…

Are you addicted to Ibuprofen?

If the answer is “yes,” then you are in good company because so many people are.

I have decided to write about it in hopes that this will give people hope that they can find alternative ways to deal with pain and feel better in their mind and body!

I have students that tell me that they have to take Ibuprofen before they work out in order to go through movements without pain.

Could it be magic?
Could it be magic?

Could “it” be magic? I can’t seem to get this question out of my head. You see, I have a new private student who is an avid golfer. She loves it and seems to be a bit competitive with her fellow golfers.

At our first session, I told her that stretching would improve her golf game.

She looked a me with skepticism, but said “well, if you think so, I hope so, I’ll give it a try.”

She has been stretching with me for 4 weeks now. Yesterday, she casually mentioned to me that she had her best golf game ever the day before.

Hydrate... and then hydrate some more!
Hydrate... and then hydrate some more!

Hydration is essential to life!

Think about it…

Every human, every animal, every plant, every tree, every blade of grass needs water to survive. If it doesn’t get enough, it shrivels, dries up, and dies.

What does hydration have to do with stretching, you ask?

2 Partner Stretches for Your Quads, Low Back & Upper Body
2 Partner Stretches for Your Quads, Low Back & Upper Body

Did you know…

Our flexibility decreases by 10% every decade!

It does not matter if you are an extreme athlete, a fitness buff, play a sport, walker, runner, biker, swimmer, or if you’re none of these.

Muscle tissue tightens over time just by doing daily life!

One of the most beneficial ways to decrease tight muscle tissue is a form of Stretch Therapy known as Partner Stretching.

Debunking Common Stretching Myths: Stretching Is NOT About Touching Your Toes
Debunking Common Stretching Myths: Stretching Is NOT About Touching Your Toes

Many people have the misconception that you have to be flexible to be able to stretch. They think that an Assisted Stretching class means trying to touch your toes or strain your muscles.

This is not true at all.

Assisted Stretching is NOT about trying to touch your toes or straining to stretch.

3 Easy Beginner Level Stretches for a Quick 10 Minute Stretch Routine
3 Easy Beginner Level Stretches for a Quick 10 Minute Stretch Routine

You don’t need hours of your day to stretch! And I’m going to show you how with this easy 10 minute beginner-level stretch routine.

You can call on any of these stretches throughout the day if you find yourself feeling tight and stiff. You don’t need any special equipment—only yourself and your home.

Health Tips, Stretch TherapyConnie Williams