Stretch. . . like Gumby!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Stretch. . . like Gumby!
Mon, 04-24-2006 - 12:42pm

First, Pretend You're Gumby . . .


Use your mind to help your muscles go from stiff to supple the next time you're doing a full-body stretch.


Put another way: pretend you're Gumby. Researchers have found that people who vividly imagine lengthening and moving their arms or legs find stretching easier to do. And that could lead to greater flexibility gains. So close your eyes and envision your muscles getting longer and looser whenever you stretch.

RealAge Benefit: A fitness program that builds not only stamina and strength but also suppleness can make your RealAge as much as 8.1 years younger.

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In a recent study, three groups of volunteers (30 people in all) went through a 4-week flexibility program. While all the groups emerged with more limber bodies, two of them applied their minds as well as their bodies to the process. One group visualized moving the limb they were stretching, while the other imagined the physiological process of stretching, trying to "see" their muscles elongating. Both of these groups found their flexibility workouts easier to do than the members of the control group did . . . yet they still got at least the same flexibility gains. Sweet.

~IslandGirl


Success is 10% talent and 90% heart!

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