Stretch of the Week: Locust
Week two of January is another beginner level therapeutic back bend called Locust. Locust helps to strengthen the hamstrings, glutes and lumbar musculature, building on last week’s Cobra stretch. As a warm up, you can do a few Cobra stretches prior to performing the Locust. If you missed last week’s stretch, you can find instructions here.
Snow Shoveling Stretches
Snow is beautiful when falling to the ground, but it is hard work to clear it out of the way. To keep from getting too sore, try these three exercises after shoveling all of that snow.
Stretch of the Week: Cobra Pose
Welcome to 2016!! I hope everyone had a great holiday and happy start to the New Year! This is a time for new beginnings, new goals and I’m sure many of you have made some kind of health or fitness goal. Stretching is an easy thing to add to your routine and I hope you decide to dedicate time each week to it! (more…)
The Winter Blues
Many people talk about cross-training in the winter and even throughout the running season. Does this mean to include swimming and biking? Why is it important? How can you benefit from cross-training?
Cross training does include replacing running with lower impact activities, such as swimming and biking. However, it also is stretching and strengthening. (more…)
Stretch of the Week: Forward Fold Partner Stretch
The second week of December brings us to a forward fold partner stretch. Even people who cannot touch their toes when bending forward can still do this one. If you have a hamstring injury I would not recommend performing this stretch. (more…)
Stretch of the Week: Partner Stretch for the Shins
The final week of November brings us to a partner stretch for the shins. It’s a great segue into December where we will be doing partner stretches the entire month! So stay tuned!
You will only need another person for this stretch. Any friend, family member, or acquaintance will do 🙂 (more…)
Stretch of the Week: Hero’s Pose in Yoga
The third week of November brings us to a stretch called hero’s pose in yoga. We have visited this stretch before but today we will focus on the shin and front ankle. (more…)
Stretch of the Week: Straight Legged Low Lunge
Week 2 of November is a straight legged low lunge with an added extension of the foot for a shin stretch. It sounds complicated but I promise it’s pretty simple! 🙂
You will need two yoga blocks (or something similarly sturdy) and a blanket for cushion.
The contraindications for this stretch are if you have severe knee problems or have trouble getting to the floor, then please do not attempt the stretch. (more…)
