A Beginner's Guide to Stretching

To perform aikido your body needs to be relaxed & supple. For this reason I would strongly recommend that you incorporate regular stretching into your practice.

Aiming to stretch for 10-15 minutes 4-6 times a week not only helps to keep the body supple, but it also introduces the habit of regular practice into your life.

Advantages of stretching

• It teaches you how to relax your muscles & calm your mind both of which are important to aikido.
• It increases flexibility & extends your range of motion thus helping to prevent injury.
• It improves body awareness (learn where you hold tension in your body & improve posture).
• It's free.
• You can do it where & when it suits you.
• You work at your own pace - within your own limits. Stretching shouldn't be competitive.
• It enables you to move more fluidly another important requirement for aikido practice.
• You learn how to make time for regular training.
• You don't need special equipment.

How to stretch

Here I describe how to stretch & here's a stretching routine that you can print off & use in your daily practice.

There is also a description of a Yoga Sun Salutation. An excellent addition to anyone's aikido training.

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