Kneeling shin stretch

Probably the most common injury to your shin area is called shin splints. Shin splints happen for many reasons: overuse, working out on a hard surface, fallen arches in your feet, and even lack of flexibility. Try this next stretch to keep this area lengthened and flexible. Skip this stretch if you have bad knees because the exercise may be uncomfortable for you.
To do this stretch, follow these steps:

1. Kneel on a carpeted floor or mat with your toes pointed backward.
2. Lower your hips and sit on top of your heels.
3. Inhale and as you exhale grab the top of your left foot and gently pull it toward your buttocks.
4. You should feel this stretch in your left shin.
5. Hold the stretch for a few seconds and release.
6. Repeat this stretch a few more times on your left side and then switch sides, repeating the stretch an equal number of times on the right.

If this position is uncomfortable or creates pain in your knees because of lack of range of motion, try rolling a towel and placing it behind your knees and under your buttocks. Also, make sure you’re on a comfortable mat or carpet while performing this stretch.
A few do’s and don’ts for this stretch:

• Do sit on your heels.
• Do lift your abdominals while you lift your foot and maintain the natural curve of your spine.
• Don’t allow your buttocks to sit on the floor between your heels — it creates stress on your knees.