| Muscles and connective tissues shorten over time and | | | | A common mistake that many people make while |
| that results in less flexibility. If your muscles have gone | | | | doing stretching exercises is to bounce into the stretch. |
| some time without being used, they tend to become | | | | Bouncing is not a good idea because it's a sharp, |
| weaker and quite stiff. The risk of injury is greatly | | | | abrupt movement that can do a lot of damage to your |
| increased when you start to use those muscles | | | | muscles. You should focus on the specific muscle that |
| suddenly. If you are doing regular stretching exercises | | | | you are stretching and gradually push your limit without |
| to lengthen and strengthen your muscles, injury can be | | | | causing yourself pain. |
| easily avoided. | | | | You should find that you are more limber in just a few |
| A pulling sensation is normal while you're doing | | | | short months if you are dedicated to doing some |
| stretching exercises. It can be mildly uncomfortable but | | | | stretching exercises a few times a week. If you are |
| if you are experiencing pain then you are probably | | | | hoping for a faster result then you can always |
| over extending your muscles. If this happens then you | | | | increase the frequency and duration of your stretching |
| will need to reduce your stretch to maintain comfort. | | | | exercises. Just remember not to overdo it because an |
| Of course you can push yourself to stretch further but | | | | injury could have you off your feet for an extended |
| do so gradually and with much consideration for your | | | | period of time. |
| pain threshold. | | | | |