by Tiffany Coley

Created on: January 11, 2008

Increasing physical flexibility is an important step in your quest for a healthier body. Excellent results are surprisingly easy to attain without even having to leave the comfort of home. Incorporating a daily stretching routine into your life takes about ten minutes in the morning and evening and requires no cumbersome apparatus or expensive training gadgets. All that you need is a commitment to making stretching a habit as well as the proper form so you can avoid straining your muscles and the benefits of a flexible body can be yours.

What are the benefits of a flexible body? The biggest by far is that a flexible body looks and feels younger. Daily stretching helps to lengthen muscles which leads to a wider range of motion. This allows you to do all the chores of normal everyday life without hassle and enables you to participate in more rigorous physical activity. Flexibility promotes circulation, creates better posture, and can prevent injury during exercise. It can keep annoying aches and pains at bay. Stretching is something anyone can do regardless of age or ability level, there is no excuse to keep you from starting right away!

How do you incorporate a daily stretching routine into your life? Start by setting aside a comfortable area with plenty of space to be your stretch zone. This could be in your bedroom or living room on a carpeted floor or exercise mat. Wear comfortable clothing that will not constrict blood flow or restrict range of motion. You don't even need to put on shoes but if it makes you feel better, go ahead. There are a few rules of how not to stretch that must be observed. First of all, slow and fluid movements need to be used, never jerk or bounce when holding a stretch. Be sure to breathe as normally as possible. Focus attention on the muscle area being stretched and limit movement of other body parts. You should be stretching to a point of mild discomfort, feeling your muscles stretch without stretching them farther than they can go. You should not feel intense pain or burning, if you do you are over stretching and putting yourself at risk for an injury. Stretches should be held for 10 seconds for beginners, working up to 30 seconds. Each stretch should be repeated 3-5 times with a short 10-20 second rest between stretches.

The following workout when practiced consistently and carefully will quickly provide noticeable results and gradually increase your level of flexibility so much that you will feel young again!

*CALF STRETCH- While

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