Safe Yoga Stretching

Series Summary

The various styles of yoga that have made it to the West all share a common core. Positioning the body into a particular posture, while focusing on the mind and breathing, leads to a physical and spiritual well-being. The art of body positioning has been around for thousands of years and encompasses one of the oldest cultural traditions known to man. To practice yoga, is to join with the ancient sages and rejoin human history by connecting with the past.

In this free video series our expert Elizabeth Rose will walk you through ways to improve your yoga stretching. You'll learn some important safety tips along with proper body positioning. Elizabeth will also explain the proper techniques for conducting poses like the bridge pose and the childs pose. In the end you'll know all about safe yoga stretching and be on your way towards improving you flexibility safely and efficiently.

Video Transcript

"Hello. How are you? So this sequence of videos is about learning how to stretch properly. Using Yoga and Yoga techniques. The first thing that I have to say about all of this is that you need to see your doctor and consult your doctor and a fitness professionals before you begin any kind of exercise regiment. Especially one where you are trying to increase your flexibility. Because you may not know that you might have certain conditions that might cause you to hurt yourself when you are stretching. For example if you have extremely tight hamstrings they are going to be pulling your pelvis into a posterior tilt. Right, your pelvis is not going to be straight up and down. Your hamstrings are going to be too tight and it is going to be pulling your pelvis this way. So if you are like well I need to stretch my hamstrings and you try to bend forward but your hamstrings are pulling your pelvis forward you are going to cause compression in your bones. You are going to cause compression in your back and you are not going to actually correct the problem. You need to work up to these things. You need to start small. Really be cognizant of your edge as far as stretching goes. You need to be respectful of your body; you need to honor what is going on with yourself. You need to listen to your body, don't overdue it. Respect your limitations. Don't hurt yourself. That is not what Yoga is for; Yoga is for healing and that all I have to say. I just have to let you know that before you begin. See your doctor. Thanks."