The only way to become more flexible is to regularly stretch all the muscles and joints through their natural ranges of motion. Daily stretching is not too often. Don't be discouraged if results are slow. Often it takes 6 months or more to see results. The effort is worth it, however, to avoid exercise injuries and soreness caused by moving a stiff muscle or joint.

As part of warming-up, stretch the muscles you will use during more vigorous activities. After exercise, when the body is warm and blood is flowing, stretching is particularly effective. Stretching occurs naturally after waking from sleep or after riding in a car. Take advantage of the urge to stretch!

Important points:

• Move slowly.
• Do NOT bounce.
• Do NOT stretch to the point of pain.
• Repeat each stretch several times, and HOLD for a slow count of 8-15 seconds.
• Breathe deeply.

Standing stretches

• Reach above the head as far as possible with one hand, then repeat with the other hand.
• Circle the head forward, chin to shoulder, chin to chest, then chin to other shoulder.
• Shrug shoulders up toward ears, then relax shoulders.
• Make large arm circles, forward and backward.
• With elbows at shoulder height, hug yourself.
• With elbows at shoulder height, clasp hands and twist at the waist to one side, keeping hips forward. Repeat on the other side.
• Stand facing a wall 3 feet away. Place palms on the wall and keep feet flat on the floor. Slowly lean forward toward the wall.
• Stand facing a chair or wall. Hold on with the left hand while grasping above the right ankle with the right hand, and pull right heel toward the right buttocks. Do not bend over to do this. If you cannot reach the ankle, lift the foot toward the buttocks as far as possible. Repeat with left hand and left ankle.

Sitting stretches
(in a chair or on the floor)

• Knees together, point toes toward the floor then toward the ceiling.
• Knees together, reach the hands toward the toes.
• Knees apart, reach both hands toward one foot then the other.

Lying-down, knees-bent stretches

• Pull knee to chest, using hands behind the thigh; while knee is bent, make circles with the ankle; reverse the direction. Repeat knee to chest and ankle circles on the other leg.

• Push the low back to the floor, tilting the hips forward.