Maintaining Proper Body Alignment

Proper body alignment is your guarantee that you’re getting the most out of your stretches. Why? Because when you maintain proper body alignment — back straight, shoulders down, chest lifted, abs tight — you optimize the mechanics of your body so your stretches are properly anchored and the muscle you’re focusing on is fully lengthened. You also won’t unintentionally put stress and strain on other parts of your body, which can be counterproductive to what you’re trying to achieve.

Pay attention to what every part of your body is doing. Several studies suggest that a relationship exists between flexibility and posture. Researchers have found that imbalances in muscular development or tension can contribute to poor posture. For example, tight hamstrings can cause the pelvis to tilt up unnaturally, which can reduce the lumbar curve, exaggerate the thoracic curve, and possibly cause low back pain.

This section explains how stretching can have a positive effect on posture and how proper posture can have a positive effect on stretching. You may notice that one side of your body is more flexible than the other. This imbalance is very common, so don’t worry about it — and be sure to not go easy on the side that is less flexible. Really focus and try to increase your range of motion until both sides are even.