I’m gearing up for a 9 hour drive from Mi to upstate NY to attend my daughter’s graduation from chiropractic school (look out there’s a Doctor in the house!). As I’ve gotten older- change that to matured, I find it’s harder to sit for long hours without my hips bothering me. To the embarrassment of my children I have been know to stretch while traveling. I can always find a place to do it, a chair at McDonald’s, the grass outside of a restaurant, the top of a picnic table or to lean into a tennis ball against a wall. The best thing I can do for myself is to stretch while I’m driving. I try to do these stretches every 20 minutes or so. Here are the two best stretches to do while your driving. Remember, keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Happy trails!

Hip stretch for the car

Pectoralis stretch for the car

You don’t have to be a pro to look like one. Standing pool or lakeside doing these 3 stretches will make you look like you know what your doing. It doesn’t matter if your a real swimmer or just dog paddling around, these stretches will keep your upper back and shoulders in good shape for the season.

Shoulder Stretch

Pectoralis Stretch

Rhomboid Stretch

This is one of the all time top three stretches. This stretch can not only eliminate the nagging pain between the shoulder blades, it can improve your posture. If it’s all that big deal why not try it?

#2 all time top stretch: Pectoralis doorway stretch

Interested in a 3 way? Here is a 3 way should stretch that stretches the Biceps, Deltoid, and Pectorails muscles. These are the muscle that you feel at the top of your shoulder/ arms. Give it a try after a hard day in the garden.

“In these dark waters
drawn up from
my frozen well…
Glittering of spring”
-Ringai

Are you up for your “10 weeks till summer” challenge? Start with a commitment to stretch at least 3 times a week for 10 minutes. A good goal is at least 60 minutes of stretching a week. If your do more than that you probably feeling pretty darn good, so keep it up.

Try these shoulder rolls, they are habit forming.

I’ve been telling my clients for years to wear winter scarfs to keep their necks warm. I know, I sound like your mother. I can’t help it. I see cold people walking around like turtles with their necks tucked into their chest and shoulders pulled up to their ears. All that scrunching causes stiff necks and shoulders. Here are some fun and warm scarf tying ideas. Keep warm and stay comfortable.

For all you golfers who want to hit the links one last time, be prepared. Remember golf is primarily a game the requires eye hand coordination and not a lot of physical strength. Having said that, I know “putting” requires low physical effort while “driving” is a high effort activity. The action of your swing is a real stress-er on the shoulder and low back. Remember to warm up and to stretch before you play. In this cooler weather you may be more prone to injury.

It is the time of year when frost is on the pumpkin and the leaves are falling! Don’t wind up with sore shoulders and back. Do these 2 awesome little stretches and you will be ready to dance the cha cha cha after a day of raking!

Are you sitting at football games this fall? It doesn’t matter if it’s Big 10 (Go Blue!) or middle school games, it is cold out there. When we’re cold we tend to draw our shoulders up to our ears to keep our necks warm and we wind up with stiff necks and tight shoulders. Try these two stretches as you sit on the bleachers and remember to bring a scarf!

Fall is in the air and to me that means: Jackets, pumpkin donuts, falling leaves, stiff necks and sore shoulders. The transition to fall and the cooler weather activities can leave some people sore. Shivering in lighter coats and leaf raking are the two worst offenders. What is the cure? Stretching of Course! Check out the classes starting next week, September 27th. Contact me at 734 878 2113 or stretchforhealth@gmail.com

Stretch for Health presents
Stretching Classes

Feel younger
Reduce pain & Stress
Increase Flexibility & Strength

10 weeks for $50.00

Mon. 7pm Tues. 1 pm Thurs. 1 pm

Classes meet once a week for 45minutes in downtown Pinckney
Senior discount
Private classes/ consultations available

Call Deborah to register
734 878-2113

Next session begins week of September 27, 2010