Stretching:

If you’re a dog or cat owner, you’ve probably noticed how often your pet likes to stretch. Stretching feels good, especially after lying around all day. Or, as is more often the case with humans, sitting around all day.From sitting all day at our desk or computer, we usually move on to a seat in a car, bus or train, and then home to more seated activity – eating, reading, and watching t/v.Over time, our joints and muscles rebel, becoming stiff, and even painful. The more inactive we are, the stiffer we get.

The importance of flexibility as a building block of fitness has been long overlooked. That's changing fast as people 50 and older discover the mental and physical health benefits of Yoga.
Stretching helps keep your muscles loose, which improves your flexibility, or your ability to bend without hurting yourself. Regular stretching can make you more mobile, making it easier to bend down.

Staying flexible can help you:

. Improve and maintain your range of motion, which improves balance.

· Reduce tension and stress· Improve circulation and concentration

· Boost your energy. Playing it safe. Keep these safety tips in mind when you stretch.

· Start slowly. It will become easier to stretch with practice.

· Don’t force it. Overstretching can cause pain and injury.. If it hurts, stop.

· Breathe deeply. Don’t hold your breath, Breath slow and deep.

· Warm up. Never stretch a cold muscle – you increase your risk of pulling it.

· Stretch all major muscle groups, holding for about 30 seconds.

· Try to stretch three times a week and on most days of the week that you exercise.

· Don’t compete. Listen to your body. Everyone has a different level of flexibility.