Here is a definitive guide to flexibility that revises the conceptual framework of the field. From the conceptual foundations of research to the practical applications of stretching techniques in a number of domains, this book provides a fresh perspective on flexibility, one that challenges current thinking and professional practice. It covers all major types of flexibility technique and training, with an emphasis on when and how to use each method safely and effectively. Specific applications to rehabilitation, sport, fitness, and dance make this book an invaluable resource for all practitioners and professionals in the field of human movement.

Ultimate Flexibility is the book you've been waiting for. More than a collection of exercises or an explanation of technique, Ultimate Flexibility is a complete guide to stretching for martial arts, from the very basics of why you should stretch to detailed workout guidelines for every style and level of martial arts practice.Written by acclaimed author and martial artist Sang H. Kim, Ultimate Flexibility is your guide to achieving maximum flexibility in your training. Begin with an in depth look at the hows and whys of flexibility and stretching.

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO PREVENTING BACK AND HIP INJURIES BY STRENGTHENING THE MUSCLE GROUP CONNECTING YOUR UPPER AND LOWER BODY Connecting the lower spine to the hips and legs, a strong and flexible psoas muscle is vital for everyday movements like walking, bending and reaching, as well as athletic endeavors like jumping for a ball, holding a yoga pose and swinging a golf club. With targeted information and exercises, this book’s step-by-step program guarantees you’ll transforms this vulnerable muscle, including: •Develop a powerful core •End back pain •Increase range of motion •Improve posture •Prevent strains and injuries Packed with 100s of step-by-step photos and clear, concise instructions, Psoas Strength and Flexibility features workouts for toning the muscle as well as rehabbing from injury. And each program is based on simple matwork exercises that require minimal or no equipment.

Describes a total body routine designed to help people build muscle flexibility, strength, and balance, and includes specific routines for fitness and sports. Includes photographic sequences.

Achieve life-changing results for your body—greater mobility, better functionality, enhanced performance, and less pain—in as little as 9 minutes a day. In Better Stretching, Joe Yoon brings you the tips and techniques he gives world class athletes, and provides you with an entirely new way to think about stretching. You won’t need 90 complicated minutes to get more agile—you’ll just need 9! And your results will improve dramatically—and stay that way—when you incorporate just a touch of mobility and strengthening to your stretches. Joe Yoon shows you how. Better Stretching debunks myths and misconceptions. You’ll discover: · Over 100 wide-ranging stretches, from static to dynamic, including simple stretches you can do while sitting at your desk · Three 30-day plans designed to give you maximum results in a minimum amount of time, each tailor-made for goals that you choose · Stretching, strengthening, and mobility exercises for people at every level – whether you’re a beginner or advanced, a weekend warrior or a competitive athlete, a business executive or a new parent · Muscle-soothing self-massage techniques using simple foam rollers and tennis balls · Over 125 photographs of Joe demonstrating his stretches, so you achieve results beyond what you thought possible

The Ultimate Guide to Stretching & Flexibility is the book you keep with you wherever you go. It's an easy-to-use, quick reference guide for anybody involved in health, fitness and sporting activities. Written to minimize the likelihood of sports injury and increase athletic performance, it gives coaches, trainers, athletes and fitness enthusiasts a complete reference handbook to assist with the planning and implementation of their training and rehabilitation sessions. The Ultimate Guide to Stretching & Flexibility includes 144 pages in a convenient A5 size (5.8 x 8.3 inches or 148mm x 210mm), featuring 150 photos of 135 unique stretching exercises. Chapter 1 provides a basic overview of physiology, fitness and flexibility. The many benefits of stretching are outlined in chapters 2 and 3. Chapter 4 details the different types of stretching. While stretching guidelines (i.e., rules and "how to") are presented in chapters 5 and 6. Chapter 7 deals specifically with flexibility testing. While the final chapter and ultimate strength of the book, contains 135 photographs of each stretch with step-by-step instructions. A unique spiral binding allows the book to lay flat without closing on itself, which means you don't have to hold the book open with one hand while you're trying to do the stretches. The author, Brad Walker, is a Health Science graduate of the University of New England and has postgraduate accreditation's in athletics, swimming and triathlon coaching. He has coached elite level and world champion athletes from sports as diverse as triathlon, motor cycle racing, roller skating, squash and baseball, and has lectured extensively on sports injury prevention and rehabilitation.

Introducing Active-Isolated Stretching, the revolutionary yet remarkably simple flexibility program—featuring 59 stretches for over 55 different sports and everyday activities! Whether you’re a serious competitor or weekend warrior, you know that proper stretching before and after your workout can improve your performance, increase your flexibility, help prevent injury, and make you feel better. But did you know that the traditional way of stretching—lock your knees, bounce, hold, hurt, hold longer—actually makes muscles tighter and more prone to injury? There’s a new and better way to stretch: Active-Isolated Stretching. And with The Whartons’ Stretch Book, the method used successfully by scores of professional, amateur, and Olympic athletes is now available to everyone. This groundbreaking technique, developed by researchers, coaches, and trainers, and pioneered by Jim and Phil Wharton, is your new exercise prescription. The routine is simple: First, you prepare to stretch one isolated muscle at a time. Then you actively contract the muscle opposite the isolated muscle, which will then relax in preparation for its stretch. You stretch it gently and quickly—for no more than two seconds—and release it before it goes into its protective contraction. Then you repeat. Simple, but the results are outstanding. The Whartons’ Stretch Book explains it all. Part I contains the Active-Isolated Stretch Catalog, with fully illustrated, easy-to-follow stretches for each of five body zones, from neck and shoulders to trunk, arms, and legs—over fifty stretches in all. Part II offers specific stretching prescriptions for over fifty-five sports and activities, from running, tennis, track, and aerobics to skiing, skating, and swimming. You’ll also find advice on stretching for daily activities such as driving, working at a desk, lifting, and keyboarding. Part III discusses stretching for life, with specific recommendations for expectant mothers and older athletes. It also includes specific stretching exercises that could help you avoid unnecessary surgery. Give Active-Isolated Stretching a try for three weeks. You’ll never go back to your old stretching routines again.

Your quick and easy guide to strengthening exercises and simple stretches. Our flagship text, Trail Guide to the Body: A hands-on guide to locating muscles, bones and more covers the subject of palpatory anatomy. This booklet is designed to present two complementary subjects -- stretching and strengthening. Strengthening reduces risk of injury; increases balance, stability and flexibility, keeping the body strong. Stretching improves flexibility and range of motion. This concise reference guide gives you: Instructions for 100 guided strengthening exercises and simple stretches, covering all the movements at the major joints Suggested uses of light equipment for stretching and strengthening Detailed four-color illustrations demonstrating muscle movement during the exercises This reference manual quickly puts these fundamental subjects of manual therapy at your fingertips. Great for manual therapists or anyone who values the benefits of stretching and strengthening. 103 pages, 120 images.

An updated edition of the best-selling guide on the science of effective stretching—with detailed anatomical illustrations and guidance on proper form, sports injury recovery, and more The multiple stresses of contemporary life—whether from excessive sports play, overwork, or overuse of technology—are increasingly taking a toll on the body. Symptoms range from muscle soreness and pain to pinched nerves to potentially more permanent disabilities, including serious body injuries. One safe, quickly productive way to address the problem is through a simple therapy that can be done anywhere, anytime, and without special equipment: stretching. This new edition of Brad Walker’s best-selling book on the subject presents 135 unique stretching exercises designed to help repair the body and make it more flexible, fit, and relaxed. Organized by body part, The Anatomy of Stretching presents stretching exercises in a uniform style accompanied by full-color anatomical illustrations. Equally useful for fitness fans, pro or amateur athletes, coaches and personal trainers, and healthcare practitioners, this new edition contains: • Step-by-step instructions for 20 new stretches • An expanded physiology and anatomy information • A revised numbering system that makes the stretches easier to reference • An expanded appendix with more resources on stretches for athletes and sports injuries Also featuring detailed descriptions of important principles of anatomy and physiology, The Anatomy of Stretching, Second Edition is the ultimate guide to improving flexibility, increasing strength, and relieving pain through stretching.