Flexibility workshop

Part 1 - Learning about flexibility and stretching

Before you get into the details of flexibility training you need to establish a training framework. In this first article we look at what is meant by flexibility and introduce the subject of stretching. More...

Part 2 - Why does it seem so hard to stretch?

Continuing our search for a flexibility training framework we now take a look at why it seems to hard to stretch at first and what are the implications for the frequency of our flexibility training sessions. More...

Part 3 - Preparing to stretch

In the previous parts of this series we have looked at what flexibility is and why we stretch. We have also seen why it seems so hard to get started. Now we need some practical guidelines before we get down to the business of flexibility training. More...

Part 4 - The fundamentals of flexibility training

Having completed a good warm-up you are ready to engage in some flexibility training. In this article we take a look at some fundamental aspects of stretching such as body positioning and breathing. More...

Part 5 - Your first 3 basic stretches

After reading the first 4 parts of this series you should have a pretty good idea of how to go about stretching. Now it's time to get started with some actual stretching practice. More...

Part 6 - Your next 2 stretches with variations

In this article we take a look at the next 2 basic stretches plus a number of variations. More...

Part 7 - Understanding injuries

By now you should be actively engaged in a programme of regular stretching. As you progress you might start to find some pain or discomfort creeping in. More...

Part 8 - More stretches to add to your collection

This month we take things comparatively easy and just add a few new stretches to your collection. The larger the repertoire we have the more we can vary our routine keeping us interested, motivated and hopefully injury free. More...

Part 9 - High performance stretching with PNF

So far we have looked at basic stretching techniques most of which have focused on passive stretching. In this article we look at a high performance stretching technique called Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation or PNF. More...

Part 10 - What to do if you can't even get into the starting position.

Quite a few students seem to have problems getting into a good starting position so they can't even begin a good stretch. More...