Fitness, Exercise, Workouts, Stretches - Imagine 123 » stretches

Learn Yoga for Fitness with Downward Facing Dog

Fri, 01 May 2009 17:45:46 +0000

Yoga can be a wonderful part of fitness and stretching. Downward facing dog is one of our favorite exercises to stretch out many muscle groups and tone the body. Watch the video below to learn downward facing dog.

Thai Massage for a Fitness Program

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:27:22 +0000

I have found that Thai Massage can be an incredible component to a fitness program as it is almost more similar to yoga than a massage. Thai Massage is unique in that it involves various stretching movements as well as deep tissue massage. I’d personally call it assisted yoga. Thai massage can assist in a rehabilitation program. No oil is used, clothes remain on, and it is usually done on the floor on a padded mat or cushions.

The most important thing to note when using Thai Massage for fitness is that you will need a talented person to do the massage each time. The person doing the massage will stretch muscles, use acupressure, compress muscles, mobilize joints, move blood throughout your muscles and joins, and relax tired muscles. The massage therapist uses his or her legs, knees, hands, and feet to move the body into a series of stretches. It is more rigorous and energizing than most kinds of massage. This helps muscles repair and heal faster.

Originally, Thai Massage was done by monks as part of Thai medicine. This kind of massage originated in India and was based on Ayurveda and Yoga. It was brought to Thailand more than 2500 years and is practiced quite a lot in Thailand as well as throughout the world.

When using Thai Massage for a fitness program, I feel it is one component. It is used to stretch, circulate blood, and heal muscles and joints. This means the next exercise workout can be done with optimal results since muscles have been given such assistance in repairing and lengthening. Search for thai massage on Amazon.com.

Active Hamstring Stretch

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:44:31 +0000

The Active Hamstring Stretch starts ut with the back on the floor, feet facing down on the floor, and arms holding just under the knee. To do this stretch, extend the right leg towards the ceiling by contracting the front of the upper thigh. As that leg is extended, gently pull that leg towards the chest for a couple of seconds and then release that leg back down. Repeat this exercise fot the other leg. This exercise can be done 5 times for each leg.

Hamstring Stretch with Eric

Press ups stretch

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:40:23 +0000

The Press ups stretch begins with the person face down on the ground. Toes are pointed down and arms folded forward under the body. The stretch happens by pointing the toes outward from the body and torso and head up with the arms so that the stomach muscles and front are stretched. Hold this stretch for a minimum of ten seconds, and repeat a few times.

Press Ups with Sarah

Hip flexor and hamstring stretch

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:38:01 +0000

The hip flexor and hamstring stretch is a useful stretch. To do this stretch, start out with one knee bent and extended so that the calf is perpendicular to the ground and thigh is just more than 90° from the calf. The other leg will be extended directly back with knee touching the floor as well as top of foot touching the floor. The torso is extended vertically parallel to the wall, perpendicular to the floor. Both arms reach up towards the ceiling and the head focuses forward. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds the first time. In future stretching sessions, this stretch can be held longer as comfortable.

Quad stretch

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:26:01 +0000

The Quad Stretch is best used to stretch out your quad muscle. To do this stretch, you will want to lie on your side, and with your bottom arm hold your lowered leg toward the chest. For the upper leg, hold the top of your foot, and pull your top leg slightly back and up. The bottom leg and torso should stay still while doing this stretch. It is important to pull in the abdomen, not use the arm too much for the stretch, and to use the leg more to do the stretch. After doing the stretch for the one leg, flip sides and do it for the other side.

Quad Stretch part 1 with Sarah

Quad Stretch part 2 with Sarah