New to Stretch Therapy - advice on where to start given current level

[DCroft]

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

[Kit_L]

Welcome, DCroft.

Master the Full Squat, and Master the Pancake. The reason is that MFS has many small, but very significant exercises that did not fit logically with the rest of the material, and all of which are needed to get going.

MFS > MTP is my suggestion. Also, please see this post here:

https://kitlaughlin.com/forums/index.php?/topic/1401-pancake-something-new-something-old-and-something-exciting/&tab=comments#comment-18036

 

[DCroft]

Hi Kit,

 

Thanks a lot for the reply, I'll get going with MFS, looking forward to getting started.

 

Cheers