Gentle Stretching Routine

Hello NoN Community,

We wanted to share a couple stretches with you over this relaxing holiday weekend.  Stretching is a part of your health and well-being.  It improves mobility and can help reduce pain related to arthritis, PD, and many other conditions.  Harvard Health comments that "stretching can feel good and improve mobility over time."  While not the most important part of your health and wellness, maintaining your mobility will be extremely beneficial over time.  These stretches can easily be completed while you have your coffee in the mornings, watch TV in the evenings, or while you are reading.

How To:
- As you hold these stretches, take big deep breaths.
- Try not to push really hard.  Make sure you feel a nice gentle stretch and not significant pain.
- Try each stretch 3x for 60" each. 
- Try to do 2x each week for the month of July.

Please comment on what you think about these stretches, stretches you like to do, and other things you do to improve your flexibility.

Thank you!

Start on all fours.  Slowly move your hips back, keeping your hands in the starting position.  Bring your hips as far down as you can and relax your trunk. 

Sitting on the floor (try in a chair if you can't get in this position), sit up tall, and raise one arm overhead.  Bring it over your head and lean towards the opposite side.  Keep your hips down.

Sitting on the floor (or in a chair), keep one knee bent, and straighten out the other leg.  Pull the toes up towards your body.  Slowly lean forward to bring both hands towards your toes.

Sitting on the floor (or chair), bend one knee and straighten out the other.  Bring one arm straight up overhead.  Slowly bring the arm over your head and lean away (towards the straightened leg).

---

Next Week!

We will be discussing other ways to improve your flexibility.

---

---