Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: The Why’s, Where’s, When’s, and How’s of Letting Loose and Snapping Back 7
Chapter 1: Here a Stretch, There a Stretch, Everywhere a Stretch, Stretch 9
Chapter 2: Preparing for a More Flexible You 19
Chapter 3: Testing Your Flexibility to Establish Your Stretching Routine 29
Part II: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: Targeting Specific Areas 45
Chapter 4: Taking It from the Top: Upper Body Stretches 47
Chapter 5: Centering on the Core: Stretches for Your Middle 67
Chapter 6: Soothing Your Lower Back without Paying for a Massage 77
Chapter 7: From Your Knickers to Your Kickers: Stretches for your Bottom Half 93
Chapter 8: Total-Body Stretch Routines 115
Part III: From the Daily Grind to Ways to Unwind: Routines to Fit Your Life and Needs 135
Chapter 9: When the Cock Crows and the Evening Wind Blows: AM/PM Stretch Routines 137
Chapter 10: Stretching Out the Workday: Stretches for Work and for the Road 151
Chapter 11: Basic Warm-Up and Cool-Down Stretch Routines 165
Chapter 12: My Favorite Stretches for Specific Sports 187
Part IV: Getting Limber As You Live: Stretches for Various Life Stages 205
Chapter 13: What to Stretch When You’re Expecting and After 207
Chapter 14: Family Fun: Kid-Friendly Stretches 217
Chapter 15: Seventh Inning Stretch: Special Stuff for Seniors 233
Part V: The Part of Tens 243
Chapter 16: Ten Common Aches and Pains and Stretches that Can Help 245
Chapter 17: Ten Surprising Around-the-House Stretching Accessories 249
Index 253