Lexie Williamson - The Stretching Bible: The Ultimate Guide to Improving Fitness and Flexibility

Bloomsbury Sport

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This electronic edition published in 2017 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

First published in 2017

Lexie Williamson, 2017

Photos by Grant Pritchard Photography

Photos on Stretches By Sport opening page Getty Images

Lexie Williamson has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the Authors of this work.

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ISBN: 978-1-4729-2987-7 (PB)
ISBN: 978-1-4729-2988-4 (eBook)
ISBN: 978-1-4729-2989-1 (ePDF)

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CONTENTS

Each section features individual stretches plus four sequences

Eight-step targeted routines for all ages and flexibility levels

Twenty sports each with six warm-up and ten cool down stretches

Introduction

There are 101 Reasons to Stretch

To sit straighter, stand taller, move more freely, sidestep injury, release stress, feel younger, improve your golf swing and sleep better.

The Stretching Bibleis a one-stop resource that packages stretches and ready-made sequences in a way that is easy and accessible whatever your reasons for wanting to be more supple or mobile. It offers sequences for different ages, (children, teenagers and seniors), occupations (commuters, desk workers and manual workers), time constraints (five minute routines), and level (gentle, intermediate and advanced).

Stretching techniques are also divided into anatomical sections, such as for your back and sides or your upper legs, in order to hone in on exercises for an aching lower back, tight hamstrings or stiff shoulders. And the final section features highly targeted warm-up and cool down stretching routines for 20 sports from American football through to weight training.

In the last few years of bringing sport-specific yoga to athletes as a Yoga Sports Coach, Ive witnessed a tenfold increase in interest within the sports community in what we call flexibility training. The emphasis for athletes is not on replicating pretzel positions (although advanced stretches are here for those wishing to go deeper), but on simple, functional techniques to improve performance and reduce post-exercise muscle soreness.

Of course, the global rise in popularity of yoga and Pilates demonstrates that many people also want to stretch simply because it feels good. Some have sedentary desk jobs and need to move and release muscular tension. Others are seeking a little mental and physical space in a stressful world. Regardless of age, occupation, situation and perceived flexibility levels there are a range of stretches to suit everyone, so flick through, experiment and enjoy.

Why Stretch?

To counter the desk job

Many of us now spend eight, nine or ten hours a day at our desks.