Preparing Space

One of the most fundamental and most often overlooked aspects of flexibility training (as with most workout programs) is commitment, and true commitment is reflected both externally — by creating a specific, special place to stretch — and internally — getting yourself into the right frame of mind.
If you’ve ever been to a yoga class, you know what I mean by getting in the right frame of mind (an open neat space with soft, serene music and a teacher who whispers). All these external and internal factors add up to a better stretching experience, so you can look forward to your next stretching session even more.
Organizing your surroundings
Here are a few things you can do to keep your space (external factor) uncluttered:

• Establish a space large enough to extend your body fully. You may have to move some of the furniture around you, but there’s nothing more annoying than having to move things while you’re stretching. Get it taken care of ahead of time and you won’t have to deal with the interruption while you’re stretching.
• Make the room warm. An ideal stretching room is a warm room because your muscles respond more to stretching when they’re warm. So don’t crank up the air conditioner just because you hate to sweat.

Because stretching can’t be hurried or rushed, you have to move slowly and deliberately.
Such an attitude should also be reflected in your mental approach (next section).
Collecting your thoughts
Here are a few things you can do to keep your mind (internal factor) uncluttered:

• Relaxing music: You can buy instrumental or relaxation CDs that definitely allow you to unwind more easily and help you have a great mind/body experience.
• Planning ahead: Make sure that your workout isn’t interrupted. Turn off the phone, put your Blackberry where you can’t see it, and tell your kids you’ve moved away to join the circus.