Before your yoga stretching exercises it is safer to warm up the muscles you are planning to stretch.
Slow, gentle movements done without strain or force.
The movement provides lubrication and warmth, plus a few other advantages.
Here's a live example - From sitting at the computer your neck and shoulders are getting tighter and tighter.
You decide to take a bit of a break and spontaneously interlace your fingers and try to stretch your arms overhead, palms facing out.
They go out as far as your forehead and the elbows still have a bend.
This is the first try.
Return the palms to the chest.
If you had used force they probably would go further.
Ouch! "Where wisdom is called for, force is of little use".
Forcing your will on the body wastes energy,and causes harm.
Accept the message from the body to stop there for now.
Repeat that same movement a few times to warm up the muscles.
Moving slowly, be very aware of sensations like the difference between one side and the other.
Inhale as you stretch your arms gently forward once more with fingers interlaced, exhale as you draw them gently back and rest the hands palms down on your chest.
The next round, notice where the resistance is when you stretch the arms forward.
Is it in the upper arm, the shoulder or the fingers? Exhale to rest, and rest completely.
Let all muscles in your whole body relax.
The next time you repeat the movement, count on the inhale and on the exhale.
With more repetitions you will observe your breath is fuller as the arms move further.
When your are ready, you can hold the position with the arms extended fully and raised as far as they can.
As you hold, continue to count on the inhale and exhale.
Close your eyes as you feel the delicious stretch.
If you want to stretch to the sides with the arms raised, remember to use the same principle and warm those muscles up before you hold the stretch.
Basic stretching exercises before your yoga stretching exercises are done slowly, gently, without force and strain.
The movement improves circulation to the muscles, the muscles relax and lengthen.
The increased blood flow brings warmth.
The movements are performed with great awareness of the breathing and sensations of the body, as well as alignment.
How many other body parts were involved with that basic stretching exercise? Which organs of the body were affected?
Slow, gentle movements done without strain or force.
The movement provides lubrication and warmth, plus a few other advantages.
Here's a live example - From sitting at the computer your neck and shoulders are getting tighter and tighter.
You decide to take a bit of a break and spontaneously interlace your fingers and try to stretch your arms overhead, palms facing out.
They go out as far as your forehead and the elbows still have a bend.
This is the first try.
Return the palms to the chest.
If you had used force they probably would go further.
Ouch! "Where wisdom is called for, force is of little use".
Forcing your will on the body wastes energy,and causes harm.
Accept the message from the body to stop there for now.
Repeat that same movement a few times to warm up the muscles.
Moving slowly, be very aware of sensations like the difference between one side and the other.
Inhale as you stretch your arms gently forward once more with fingers interlaced, exhale as you draw them gently back and rest the hands palms down on your chest.
The next round, notice where the resistance is when you stretch the arms forward.
Is it in the upper arm, the shoulder or the fingers? Exhale to rest, and rest completely.
Let all muscles in your whole body relax.
The next time you repeat the movement, count on the inhale and on the exhale.
With more repetitions you will observe your breath is fuller as the arms move further.
When your are ready, you can hold the position with the arms extended fully and raised as far as they can.
As you hold, continue to count on the inhale and exhale.
Close your eyes as you feel the delicious stretch.
If you want to stretch to the sides with the arms raised, remember to use the same principle and warm those muscles up before you hold the stretch.
Basic stretching exercises before your yoga stretching exercises are done slowly, gently, without force and strain.
The movement improves circulation to the muscles, the muscles relax and lengthen.
The increased blood flow brings warmth.
The movements are performed with great awareness of the breathing and sensations of the body, as well as alignment.
How many other body parts were involved with that basic stretching exercise? Which organs of the body were affected?