I'm as stiff as a board!

[basil1]

Honestly I really never stretch except for what little I get in the warm up at dance class. I am not a newbie I have been dancing for about 8 years (minus time off for an injury) so I know better. I also workout with weights so that's even more reason that I need to stretch. I really need help getting started.
Can anyone recommend a dvd? I am a member of the Y and they have a yoga class that I might be able to fit into my schedule, but I am so stiff I'd be embarrased to try it infront of everyone until I can loosen up at least just a little. HELP

Old Stiffy

[TheGreatKathyLori]

Don't be too embarrased to go to yoga. It will do wonders for you. I don't really have any good stretch dvd's. The best stretch is from a good yoga class. If they have it at the Y, take a hot yoga class or restorative yoga. Restorative yoga goes much slower, but it helps your body to "heal", get back to normal. Google restorative yoga and see what you think.

[Darbla]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Stretch-Michelle-LeMay/dp/0399528938/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261326492&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: Essential Stretch (9780399528934): Michelle LeMay: Books[/ame]

[kemintiri]

I was very stiff when I started dancing but it much better now thanks to a few things:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Stretching-Suzanne-Martin/dp/0756609526]Amazon.com: Stretching (9780756609528): Suzanne Martin: Books[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Ball-Method-Relieve-Included/dp/0761128689/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261341592&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: The Miracle Ball Method: Relieve Your Pain, Reshape Your Body, Reduce Your Stress [2 Miracle Balls Included] (0019628128683): Elaine Petrone: Books[/ame]

PERFECT in TEN: Stretch : Traditional Fitness : Stretching, Yoga, Pilates : World Dance New York

These have helped me tremendously (esp. the miracle ball method for my back which was trashed by years of desk jobs with bad chairs.)

I'm considering this one too, but Ihaven't tried it yet:

Stretch and Joint Mobility Therapy with Annette Fletcher : Traditional Fitness : Stretching, Yoga, Pilates : World Dance New York

HTH some

[Taj]

I personally haven't had very good luck with yoga classes--they tend to be more advanced at my gym than I'm comfortable with. What I find works for me is a yoga book I can take from at my own pace. Also--just putting on some slow music and extending/stretching at a tempo that is right for me works pretty well. I incorporate these stretches into my cool down at the gym.

[basil1]

I checked out the description of the yoga class at the Y and it just says Yoga...no hints as to what level or type.
Thanks for the dvd suggestions. I'll try one of those and then after a couple of months I'll give the yoga class a try.
I may have to check out the miracle ball as well. I suffered a pretty severe spinal fracture about 8 years ago and my back aches & is really stiff sometimes.
Thanks...I knew I could count on the ladies of Bhuz :-)

[dancerose]

My favorite stretch, non-yoga stretch is Karen Voights Yoga Stretch. She's got two on one dvd; one is active yoga and the other is really just stretching. Beautiful, relaxing music! Another I just did recently was P90X stretch. That was really good as well, but comes part of a set. However, you could probably find a single copy on Amazon, Ebay, ect. That seems to be a title people like to let go.

[Sonja2]

Holly, if you lived closer we could go together. I'm getting ready to join the Y in January so I can start swimming again before this baby is born... I'm not very flexible either, and I *try* to stretch after I dance every night (but I'm not too good about being persistent). I was doing Yoga 3 times a week, and it was helping some, but I still never reached a level of flexibility that made me happy.

I'd like to try active yoga or dynamic stretching, but I think it's important to have a trainer with you so you don't injure yourself in dynamic stretching.