The Runner's Yoga Book: A Balanced Approach to Fitness

Prohibiting the full contraction of opposing muscles. All muscles work in pairs.

Muscle action may be compared to a sponge. When the sponge is squeezed, which is the equivalent of a muscle contracting, fluids flow. But for the sponge to absorb fluids efficiently again, it must be released and soft. So it is with muscles. If they are to pump efficiently, they must be able to contract to move fluids onward, and then soften again

All athletic exertion, then, can be viewed as the repetitive and coordinated contraction of muscles and muscle groups. Such continual contractions determine the resting length of the muscle spindle, the message center of the muscle. When the spindle learns that the muscle is continually being asked to shorten, it adjusts to the demands placed upon

Dynamic stretching is jerky and forced; yoga stretching is slow and controlled. Dynamic stretching aims for a certain degree of flexibility; yoga stretching aims for physical, mental, and spiritual balance.

Do not bounce. To bounce into a stretch activates the dynamic stretch reflex, the mechanism built into the muscles to prevent overstretching. To lengthen a muscle by bouncing or jerking makes it shorten automatically to protect itself from overstretching. So, although a person stretching this way may say, “But I feel it stretch,” in fact, what he o

Be receptive.

If you stand on the outer edges of your feet, press down on the joints under your big toes just enough so that the tops of your feet are level. If you have collapsed arches, place your feet straight forward and turn your knees out just enough to lift the arches.

Stiff muscles deprive the body of optimum health by • Inhibiting the movement of joints • Prohibiting the full contraction of opposing muscles • Misaligning the body • Decreasing body efficiency • Increasing the possibility of injury • Deterring the maximum pumping action within each muscle

While holding a pose notice where in your body you feel the most unpleasant sensation. This is where the bind is. Many people deal with this type of discomfort by tightening the surrounding muscles in an attempt to protect the area. Tightening muscles around the area of discomfort simply locks it into your body. Instead try the following: While in