Search the Community

Though doing a body scan while stretching would seem intrinsic to any stretch technique, a search of this site with the word "scan" produces no results, and I dont remember it being explicitly mentioned anywhere. But maybe it appears in other guises. During a stretch, I've been doing a scan of the areas affected - and other areas as well. So for instance in a held single leg standing hamstring stretch, I first feel what is happening in the toes, then the balls of the feet, the arch of the foot, the instep, the ankle, the Achilles tendon, the calf muscles, the back, sides, and front of the knee, the different thigh muscles (in so far as I can distinguish them), the buttocks, the hip, the waist, the back, the shoulders, the arms, the neck, the head, the other leg. In other words, though I concentrate in more detail on the areas most closely involved in the stretch, I scan the rest of the body as well. This enables me to form a total picture of how the whole body is involved in the stretch. Then I can try relaxing areas that seem tight or that are being worked unnecessarily, and focus my attention on the areas that are being stretched, or that I intend to work on. This may seem slow and tedious, but after the first time I do it, I find I form a mental picture that means I can slip into it very quickly on later attempts. It would seem that doing something like this could help, and indeed be essential, in body awareness and body work. I’ve only tried it a little myself so far, but hope to tell my students about it soon, in case anyone finds it useful. I wonder has anyone tried it (whether in this form, or another one) and what has been your experience? Thanks, Jim.

I'm just wondering if the stretches that work best as partner stretches are stretches that primarily work on the fascia. In some cases it seems to me that muscle (and its reflexes) are the limitation, in other cases more the fascia. Working out which of course is difficult, and it may well vary from individual to individual. However where the critical tightness crosses multiple muscles, or does not correspond to the lines of muscles, and/or where long held stretches seem most effective, I wonder whether fascia is the primary limitation (group 1). Where the tightness corresponds to the line of a muscle, and where the CR method works well, I wonder if muscle is the primary limitation (group 2). There is of course no proof that these conjectures are true. In my experience, stretches in the first group can be more effectively helped by partner stretches. I find that partner stretches do not particularly help those in the second group. Does anyone else have views on this? I could post some examples of stretches in the two groups, and will later if requested, but have to go and stretch now!

Hi everyone, New to the forum and to the Stretch Therapy method so thought I’d give a bit background on myself and ask for advice on how best to proceed. I think I am in a fairly large boat of people who sit down for most of the day at work but do move as much as I can when not at work. I am active in my spare time, mainly running, stretching, bodyweight training and cycling. About 5 years ago I started going to regular yoga classes but not so much anymore as felt I wasn’t making too many improvements with my flexibility and mobility, although I still do go to classes with certain teachers. I purchased the GB stretch series and foundation course about 7 months ago but after following the three stretch programs, pretty much every week since, haven’t noticed too much improvement. I read a comment from Kit stating that these aren’t really suitable for people who aren’t at a level of flexibility, as sitting in positions such as a pike without the proper form is not beneficial (sorry for paraphrasing and possibly misinterpreting!). I did often wonder and question this, with an example being, regularly changing from straight legs when stretching the hamstring (only feeling the calf) to bent legs where I feel it in the hamstrings. The GB course emphasises keeping a straight leg when stretching hamstrings a lot but I’m not sure if this is beneficial for someone like myself with limited ROM in the lower back and hamstrings. Also, I have found the middle splits program has led to a pain on the inside of my knee which I nearly always feel when stretching my left adductors. I realise this is probably due to me not stretching in a safe enough way but left me confused on how and if to continue. I have enjoyed the structure of the program though and it has made me disciplined with my stretching, setting aside the required 45mins, 3 times a week to do them, and enjoy the follow along format of the videos. I am also enjoying the Foundation course so am not bashing the GB program here. On the flip side of my forward fold frustration, I can get in to a deep squat very comfortably and ok with back bending (I think). With that in mind where would be the best place to start with the Stretch Therapy programs? Is the Mastery series the most up to date material and should I start with the squat program alone and work from there, or go with more than one program (i.e. squat and panacke/pike)? Or would I be better with the Stretching & Flexibility book? I like the idea of keeping the three sessions a week going but maybe replacing some of the stretches in the GB series with more appropriate ones from the ST program, although I am more than open to suggestions if that is not the best approach as 45 mins x 3 times per week is sometimes hard to fit in. Apologies for the long post and if these type of queries have been answered before. I have read through the suggested threads but there was so much information I couldn’t take it all in. Thanks David

Hi, I have a problem I've done kit laughlin's hamstring stretch. It's fantastic!! The problem is that I seem to make progress but then the next day when I wake up I notice that my hamstrings have become tense again and I've lost the previous flexibility that I had gained the day before. How do I resolve this problem? Thank you

Where should I feel the prone capsule stretch(the one where your arm goes across the body)? Whenever I do it, I just feel like I'm choking myself.

Hi all, I'm keen to hear how fellow ST's are describing ST to the masses. I'm finding it's a great talking point (i.e describing it as 'ST' or even simply just 'stretching') as the most common response is 'Oh! So that's like Yoga or Pilates, right?' - expecting a 'Yes, just like that!'. I'm interested to hear how you are describing ST in a simple, straight forward way that is easily understood by the masses and can be done in under 60 seconds. The ideas that come through can then be used by all to make a standard response and help spread the word about the benefits of ST. NB: I had a flick through the previous forums and couldn't find a similar topic so apologies if this has already been covered). I look forward to your replies! Cheers, Holly

While trying to figure out why the standing leg limbers in the pancake program weren't being felt in my hips, I went looking for some other sources on the move. I ended up finding Ray Long and his site/books Bandha Yoga and his blog http://www.dailybandha.com/. They bill themselves as giving "scientific keys to unlock the practice of yoga." Long's approach is really complementary to the interests Kit and the community here have here in the focus on anatomy and the musculoskeletal physiology. A particularly great part of what they've got is an illustration technique that shows clearly how each muscle is supposed to be contracted or relaxed in any given pose. For instance, check out this image of a pancake-like pose (Uppavishta konasana -- blue is contract, red is relax, note the dashed arrows showing driving the feet out): http://www.bandhayog...onasana_TFL.jpg I've already found a few gems here and there about what the sensations should be in a given stretch. He also gives a good account of "facilitated stretching" (same as C-R), reciprocal inhibition, and co-activation--not that any of that is novel to people here. I don't have any of his books yet, but I'm planning to get one or two soon. Check it out! I'm sure everyone here will find something interesting in either the books or the blog. and you don't have to be a yoga person to appreciate it (I'm not one... yet!).

Hellooooo fellow ST's! Happy New Year! Some very good friends of mine have migrated north and now reside in the Brisbane CBD area. They are looking for a Stretch Teacher to join classes for a) (initially) reduce back pain and general health and well-being. They are just on the CBD fringe on the western side. If you are an ST in the area or know of one (or several), please reply ASAP so I can pass the details to them. Much appreciated Thanks! Holly