[Amanda Nicole Smith Keymaster]

Thank you for this. I have made some improvements based off of your suggestions. There is now an app, site navigation has been updated and login has been updated. I will have to see what I can do about keeping you logged in.

Thanks again!

[Amanda Nicole Smith Keymaster]

Hey Nicole, soreness is inevitable but you will get more comfortable soon with consistency! I make a tea with herbs that specifically relax the nervous system. I also use an acupressure mat. Lavender essential oil by itself or peppermint with a carrier oil like coconut oil is another good one, just rub it over your muscles.

Herbal Tea Recipe | Flexibility & Relaxation

Acupressure Mat
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_0_11?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=acupressure+mat&sprefix=acupressure%2Caps%2C170

[Amanda Nicole Smith Keymaster]

Hey Douglas,

So glad you’re here, and sorry I didn’t see this sooner! My best advice is to focus on the dynamic stretches, this helps to loosen everything up and build strength at the same time. If I’m ever short on time, I’ll only do the dynamic stretches.

Once you are warmed up with dynamic stretches, try some basic static stretches with heavy focus on breath and muscle isolations. The more you focus on deep breaths and engaging and relaxing the proper muscles, the more flexibility you will have.

Since you do yoga, you’re probably really in tune with your body, get reconnected and your body will tell you what to do. All you have to do is breath and listen 🙂

I wish you the best of luck on your transformation and let me know if you have any other questions 🙂

Cheers,
Amanda

[Amanda Nicole Smith Keymaster]

Congratulations on your square overspilt, that’s awesome , and good luck on your back! I can totally understand the frustration with your back, I feel the same about my upper back and shoulders! But once I started working on it, my back and I became friends ;), and now I actually like training my back, it just takes time and patience. Yesterday I tried to rush my back stretching routine and I couldn’t do too much without my shoulder locking up. So my best advice, is breath deep and take your time.

[Amanda Nicole Smith]

I am so proud of all your hard work, your progress is incredible, and I love to push you so I’m glad you like to be pushed 😉

I too was in gymnastics when I was younger, except flexibility was never my main focus. I had my side splits, and like you said also not square. I also had a really bad bridge, and didn’t do anything even close to king pigeon because I had no idea it was a thing to do lol. I would practice but I was mainly into the strength aspect and the tricks.

I guess we always tend to gravitate towards what we’re good at, and so over the years my flexibility suffered. I also have found it only took 2 years to gain it all back and surpass my previous level. We are more focused as adults, so it’s easier to set goals and follow through.

Glad to here your story, and I look forward to hearing more about your journey!

Does anyone else have something to share? I would love to hear your thoughts, stories, and dreams.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 12 months ago by Amanda Nicole Smith.

[Amanda Nicole Smith Keymaster]

What exactly is cranial sacral therapy? I’m intrigued.

[Amanda Nicole Smith Keymaster]

By now you have probably realized this isn’t an easy stretching routine. This routine is meant to challenge you in both strength and flexibility. You probably feel as though you did a hardcore workout and that’s a good thing. However if you feel any pain that isn’t that “hurt so good” feeling, you’ll want to ease up.

I want to know, what have you all been doing to rest and recover?

After my contortion class on day 4 I felt a little twinge in my right hip flexor. I had to sleep an extra 4 hours with lots of liquids to recover from my hip flexor tightness. Sleep is always my number one go to method for recovery, as well as ice, peppermint essential oil and herbal tea blends specifically for soothing the nervous system.

My favorite herbs for what I call my flexibility tea blend is, holy basil, St. john’s wort, milky oats, chamomile and valerian.

I’m using my acupressure spoonk mat, lacrosse balls and lucky me I have also been getting massages from my friend and roommate, who is studying to be a massage therapist.

I’m trying not to eat foods that are hard for me to digest because digestion will takeover energy needed for muscle repair during sleep. I ‘m eating a lot of super foods, high in nutrients and calorie dense raw foods.

On my off days I have still been lightly stretching and using my full range of motion, especially my shoulders, I’ll just do huge arm circles, whenever I feel a little stiff.

I’m looking forward to hearing what has worked for you, and if you have any questions feel free to ask them!