Basic Pursuits

Having practiced and taught yoga for over 20 years, I've done a lot of reading and given a lot of thought to stretching.

For some time I have thought that static stretching is a bad way to warm up for vigorous activity. Holding a stretch defeats the nerve connections that cause your muscles to snap back after contraction. You are in effect temporarily reprogramming your nervous system.

Your nervous system needs to fully engaged to coordinate vigorous, fast moving exercise.

Static Stretching Also Weakens Muscles

A new study on stretching reported by the New York Times suggests that static stretching also weakens the muscles.

So static stretching leaves you with weaker, uncoordinated muscles.

How to Prepare for a Workout

The Times article suggests that the best way to prepare for a workout is to warm up. Get the blood flowing. Pant a little. Then do dynamic stretching of the muscle that you are going to be using in your workout.

For your yogis out there, sun salutations fit in very nicely here.

For more warm up suggestions, check out the article.

Stretching: The Truth

Photo by Janice