Craig Ramsay - Anatomy of Stretching

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A Guide to Increasing Your Flexibility Craig Ramsay with a foreword by
Jerry Mitchell San Diego, California J ust saying the word stretch makes me want it to last forever. Stre-e-e-e-e-e-e-etch! Elongate! Expand! Lengthen! To me, its a word that means make it last. Make it last for as long as possible. Have you ever watched dogs when they awaken from a wonderful night of rest or a midday nap? They rise on all fours and before a minute passes, theyre in a downward-dog position or some other fantastic move.

Theyre stretching their bodies, waking up their muscles, getting ready for full-out movement. Stretching is the first thing I do in the morning and last thing I do before I fall asleep. For me, stretching is one of the most important things I do on a daily basis. And I do a lot! I wish I did more. My body feels like I am giving it a wake-up call to snap to attention and prepare for the inconceivable things I will ask it to do today. As a Broadway dancer, choreographer, and director, I am always in the rehearsal room inventing musicals.

The shows I like to work on require, for the most part, lots of movement. Stretching before every session helps prepare the body for what lies ahead. A quick bend, jump, twirl, split, or kick without stretching first would mean a quick trip to the emergency room for me. So what makes stretching so fantastic? Ill leave that expertise to Craig Ramsay. I first became aware of Craig and his amazing body when he was appearing in the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Watching a large, very muscular guy move with so much grace and flexibility, needless to say, caught my eye.

I spend countless hours, days, weeks, and years working with some of the most amazing dancers, who all stay in top-notch physical condition. Thats Craig! Hes extremely flexible and thats directly connected to his muscle growth, maintenance, longevity, and stretching program. Anatomy of Stretching will answer all your stretching questions. Craig will share all the technical reasons why you should stretch. Emotionally, what I can tell you is this: No one should go through a day without some form of stretching. It will make you feel better.

It will make your body feel better. Its just that simple. No one has to tell a dog to stretch. It is in their DNA to do itand to do it before anything else. Stretching will lengthen not only your muscles, but also your mind and spirit. And in turn, your life.

Yes, I believe stretching your muscles can lengthen your life. And it can, with the proper diet and exercise, make you look a whole lot better. So what are you waiting for? Make it last! Lets stre-e-e-e-e-etch! Jerry Mitchell