At Home Stretching

The Importance of Stretching

After you finish dancing, what do you do? If you’re like most of us, you walk it off and relax. Maybe jump in the shower or grab a snack to refuel. However, there’s something more important you should do first! The reasons range from reducing soreness to increasing endorphins.
1. Stiffness and Soreness
During a hard workout, muscles go through numerous contractions which leave them in a miss-shaped and shortened state, which is why you will feel stiffness and soreness if you don’t try and rectify the state by stretching.
2. Lactic Acid
Your body produces lactic acid which makes your muscles tired and sore, stretching helps to eliminate the lactic acid.
3. Endorphins
Endorphins are released after a workout once your body starts to cool down, stretching helps slow the cooling process ensuring you feel energized after your dance class.
4. Blood Flow
Stretching helps the blood flow back into your muscles at a more regulated pace, allowing your heart rate to come back to normal, your muscles feed on oxygen and nutrients brought in by the blood.
5. Lower Back Pain
When hamstrings and hip flexors are stretched, muscles that are attached to the pelvis, will help relieve lower back pain.
6. General Posture
General posture is improved, people tend to stand up straighter particularly if you focus on stretching backs, shoulders and chest.
7. Tension and Anxiety
General tension and anxiety lead to tension in your muscles, whether that’s stiff necks or tight shoulders. Releasing and stretching those muscles often leads to an overall feeling of stress relief.
8. Flexibility
Increased flexibility, which will happen the more you stretch, will enable you to exercise more effectively.
9. Toned Muscles
Stretching over time will give your muscles tone and your body will look more slender. You only need to look at the bodies of those that practice Yoga on a regular basis.
10. Reduce the Risk of Injury
Last but by no means least you reduce the risk of injury as you will have an improved range of motion, which in turn decreases resistance on your muscles.
Static stretching is suitable for after dancing, and each time you go into a stretch, hold it for 25 to 30 seconds, just enough time for the muscle to regain its shape.
Think of stretching as a way of resetting and gaining equilibrium after putting your body through stress. Rather than seeing it as an optional part of your workout think of stretching as part of your session, you will be maximizing the benefits off all the hard work you’ve put in.