Stretching

[viscousmemories]

I need a stretching regimen. I know there are a million possible stretches and even more stretching regimens (from Pilates to Yoga to martial arts) but I need something reasonably comprehensive yet uncomplicated to compliment a fairly rudimentary dumbell-weightlifting and elliptical routine.

This is unfortunately one of those instances where the 'net has too much information. I can't seem to sort out exactly what stretches are essential, how many reps I should do and how long I should hold them. I'll be grateful for any recommendations of stretches or info resources.

[username]

I need a stretching regimen. I know there are a million possible stretches and even more stretching regimens (from Pilates to Yoga to martial arts) but I need something reasonably comprehensive yet uncomplicated to compliment a fairly rudimentary dumbell-weightlifting and elliptical routine.

This is unfortunately one of those instances where the 'net has too much information. I can't seem to sort out exactly what stretches are essential, how many reps I should do and how long I should hold them. I'll be grateful for any recommendations of stretches or info resources.

I have a Yoga For Dummies DVD (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005LQ08/104-6584529-7200700?v=glance&n=130) that I like. It teaches 12 movements that more or less end up stretching everything. Takes like 30-45 minutes to do it all if you follow the instructor (pretty hot one, at that), but once the movements are learned it takes about 10 minutes for the whole thing. There is also an advanced session on the DVD if the regular session ever becomes too easy.

The instructor goes into pretty good detail on how long to hold each position (6 breaths - yoga movements are synchronized with breathing) and is also quite detailed on the precise posture to try and obtain, why it is important and for those who cannot perform certain positions alternates are shown which accomplish the same goal.

I would recommend Yoga as a good warmup to further exercise as it not only does a good job of stretching one out, but some of the postures get the blood pumping a bit as well.

[viscousmemories]

Great, thanks username. I'll look in to that.

I'm still open to other suggestions if anyone has them. I neglected to mention in my OP that I'm not a complete stranger to stretching - of course I learned some techniques in grade school, more during a brief wrestling stint in Jr. High, still more when I briefly studied Tae Kwon Do, and even more from the Army. The problem is I believe a lot of that information (what I remember of it, anyway) is dated or outright wrong, so I'm hoping to settle on a routine built around more informed principles.

[LadyShea]

Stretching (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0936070226/qid=1136833372/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-1852249-6543110?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) , by Bob Anderson

From the publisher
The book Stretching was first published in 1975 when fitness awareness was in its infancy. Stretching has since sold over two million copies in the USA and has been published in 24 foreign editions worldwide. Now after twenty-one years and with many other books on the market, it has become the most widely-used and recommended book on stretching and its popularity continues to grow each year. The reasons for this may be the book's simple, user-friendly organization, the easy to follow individual stretches and principles, the ample line drawings by Jean Anderson, and the need for every body to stretch

I knew the Andersons when I was a kid, and know that I have seen his book in doctors offices and gyms in several states.

[Ensign Steve]

I also approve of yoga. Is good for the body and the head. :1thumbup: