Coffee Talk #170: 5 Every Day Stretches

It’s Tuesday! Grab your cup and let’s start chatting.

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that I’m plugging away with work-related events. This week (and last week) is stacked with classroom presentations, a trip to the Naval Academy, and a session of mock interviews for my junior students. It’s been non-stop action here!

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that in addition to craziness at my MBRT job, I’m also doing some fun fitness adventures. Last week, I subbed a strength/HIIT class, sharing my signature HIIT/strong set-up, which I’d LOVE to teach somewhere. It’s a rawr-style class, leaving you feeling completely worked from head to toe. I’m also debuting a special 4-class YOGA class series for my Yoga Teacher Training certification. Would love your support!

Looking at my calendar, if we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that the next several weekends are booked with various fitness trainings. I’m so excited to add to my teaching repertoire. Stay tuned for announcements related to classes and special services!

If we were having coffee together today, I’d tell you that one conversation I keep having with clients revolves around STRETCHING. I believe so much in stretching your body every day. It’s one of the reasons I’ve been (knock on wood) injury-free for my 11 years of teaching group fitness.

For fun, and to increase your own personal practice, I’m sharing 5 of my favorite stretches with you. If you come to my classes, these will look familiar because they are the stretches I have classes do most often. I’m including the benefits of each stretch because I cannot stress enough the importance of stretching.

Overall, stretching keeps muscles flexible, strong, and healthy. Stretching increases the flexibility needed to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight.

Check out the video to learn how to do each stretch.

5 Every Day Stretches

1. Shoulder Wall Stretch
   • Relieve tension
   • Loosen shoulders
   • Improve range of motion
2. Butterfly
   • Opens the hips and thighs
   • Stimulates digestion
   • Relieves stress
3. Supine Spinal Twist
   • Stretches back and glutes
   • Massages abdominal organs
   • Improves spinal mobility
4. Thread the Needle
   • Releases tension in the hips
   • Relaxes the lower back
   • Stretches the calves (flex the foot)
5. Scissor Stretch
   • Calms the lower back
   • Stretches hamstrings and calves
   • Releases tension