For many of us, stretching is like flossing — tedious but necessary. When someone helps you stretch, however, it can change the equation altogether.
“Humans are social animals,” says Los Angeles–based yoga and martial-arts instructor Steven Schilling. “Helping another person stretch appeals to our caretaking impulses.”
Working together also provides valuable feedback. “Alignment is crucial,” says Schilling. “But not everyone can see what their back, toes, or chest is doing when they’re in a deep stretch.” The extra pair of eyes helps ensure that you’re lengthening the correct muscles without putting undue strain on your joints.
After your next workout — or any time you’re feeling stiff — grab a friend and run through these four moves. Take turns as the stretcher and stretchee, assisting with the stretch and allowing yourself to be stretched in turn (READ MORE…)
High-Kicker’s Stretch
SETUP
Partner 1:
- Sit on the floor with your neck long, shoulders relaxed, your back long and upright, your feet flexed and toes pointed toward the ceiling, and your legs spread wide, about 90 percent as far as possible.
Partner 2:
- Sit in front of your partner with the soles of your feet braced against your partner’s.
- Extend your arms forward and clasp hands with your partner.
STRETCH
Partner 1:
- Keeping your back long from your tailbone to the top of your head, slowly lean forward at the hip joints, extending your arms directly forward (not down).
Partner 2:
- Slowly lean backward, gently helping your partner stretch while making sure he or she keeps a forward gaze, feet flexed, toes pointed upward, and back long.
- Hold the stretched position for 30 seconds, relax briefly, and repeat.
No-partner option:
- Perform the same sequence sitting on the floor with your feet braced against the legs of a table, reaching forward (READ MORE…)
