Don't stretch. Flex

To gain flexibility, don’t think of stretching or pulling muscles, think of flexing the muscles that will move you into the position you desire. (Flexing is the act of firming up a muscle) For example, when trying to touch your toes with your legs straight, rather than focusing on stretching the muscles behind your knee, focus on flexing the muscles in your back, lower back, ass, stomach and upper back thigh. When you flex these muscles forward, you will pull yourself to your toes.

Every muscle movement has an opposite movement and opposite muscle. If you have difficulty with one movement, flex into the opposite movement before attempting the one that is difficult. For example before trying to touch your toes, flex backwards looking straight up to the sky. Flex your stomach and back to hold yourself solidly in a back bending position. Then flex forward focusing on using the opposite muscles you used when leaning back. This will help you find the muscles you need to flex to help you touch your toes.

Stretching implies pulling or lengthening of muscles which is not really healthy or possible. All movement comes from flexing and relaxing muscles, so it should make sense that an exercise that focuses on flexing and relaxing muscles will be beneficial. As you gain control over your muscles you will gain the ability to move into any position. As you improve your flexibility, you create the illusion that you are actually "stretching" your muscles.

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