If you notice which activities you daily spend the most time in, you’ll see that you maintain a slouched posture through most of them.
From working at your desk, to looking in your phone, to reading a book, to taking notes, or even cooking–everything is a back-bending chore. Staying for long hours in this pose misaligns your spine and develops a permanent hunch.
A hunched back makes your physical profile look unimpressive, to say the least. It also has numerous health risks which only surface with time, when it’s either too bad or too late. But regular exercise, especially stretches, can have a drastic improvement on your posture.
Why Is it important to Stretch
Can you bend at your waist, while standing, and touch your toes? If not, that’s because your body is inflexible. Flexibility is not only a trait that comes in handy for gymnasts; it’s essentially for maintaining a healthy physical posture and keep your body in a balanced alignment.
Stretching is also important for easing tightness of muscles, which can often cause pain. Some muscles naturally exist in pairs, as one counterbalances the other. For instance, back sores can be because of tightened back muscles or overdeveloped chest muscles. To correct your posture and relieve pain, you need to practice arm rolls, shoulder pulls and back stretches.
When Should You Stretch
Stretching is usually paired with whichever workout routine you follow, as a warm-up exercise. It’s best to combine static stretches with dynamic ones, both, before and after your workout. This not only helps prepare them for the physical exercise that you’re about to do, but also cool down muscles after it.
However, it’s essential that stretching be made part of your routine, and not reserved to gym timings. A few simple toe-touches, shoulder rolls and arm stretches don’t take much of your time but can greatly help your posture. Do it when you feel most stressed out at work, home or during commute.
How To Stretch
Even though stretching is a fairly simple exercise routine, some people find it challenging to inculcate it in their lifestyle. This is why it’s important that you either learn it on your own or (better) sign up for fitness classes nearby.
Both static and dynamic stretching perform different functions. While the former enables lengthening of the tightened muscles (by holding a stretching position for a few seconds), the latter enhances blood flow and warms up the muscles.
We offer special stretching classes in NYC by trained instructors who are Romanas-Pilates certified. Call us to sign up.
