Stretch like a cat

Wikipedia defines Stretching as being: “a form of physical exercise in which a specific skeletal muscle (or muscle group) is deliberately elongated, often by abduction from the torso, in order to improve the muscle’s felt elasticity and reaffirm comfortable muscle tone. The result is a feeling of increased muscle control, flexibility and range of motion.”

Stretching just plain feels good; it helps circulate the blood flow and keeps us limber and alert. Most good stretches look like stretches performed by animals too. Stretching often occurs instinctively after waking from sleep, after long periods of inactivity, or after exercise (hopefully).

My favorite stretches are cat stretch, cow stretch and dog stretch (or pose of the child), also from yoga. Here is a good video showing how to perform the moves. Or you can follow these simple instructions:

Get down on the floor on your hands and knees.
Push your back up towards the ceiling (like a cat arching its back).
Continue arching until you feel a gentle stretch in your back.
Hold for 15 seconds.
Return to the starting position.
Repeat 9 more times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LodlEH6TluM


Stretch everyday, mornings, and evenings or anytime is a good time for stretching. We never seem to get enough. Let’s connect at info@gaiaadventures.com.

Catherine D’Aoust at GAIA Adventures
http://www.gaiaadventures