Amy Johnson

Health Book Review: Superstretch seven With 7 different stretch categories and multitudes of tips and illustrations, spell out with first use? Superstretch is the best stretch book on the TSCPL shelves, a credit to Jacqueline world’s Lysycia, who was voted the worlds top stretch/yoga instructor by Yoga Magazine in 2005. Superstretch effectively targets every major muscle group, as well as focuses on the minor muscles, to create a well-rounded stretching routine. Lysycia Lyscyia begins Superstretch by laying out the benefits of stretching for your body: stress is relieved, posture is improved (making you look younger and workout-related thinner!), muscles and joints are healthier, chances of workout related injuries are reduced, muscle development is promoted, and circulation is improved. With these kinds of benefits, why not take a few minutes out of your day to stretch? A brief explanation is given on what goes on inside your body when you stretch to help raise your awareness of how important stretching is and what exactly you are targeting when you stretch. And finally, the importance of proper breathe breathing while stretching is stressed. While it may seem simple we all breath, effective after all proper breathing facilitates deeper, more affective stretching. The remainder of the book is dedicated to seven fantastic sets of stretches: warm-up; dynamic; spine; Hips and legs; hips, Legs, and spine; Upper body; and gentle therapeutic. warm-up You can start with the warm up and then work your way through the dynamic stretches, or you can choose a particular section to help you stretch out a tight muscle. If your day is packed, start with the warm-up and then pick two or three key exercises to get you through the day. Need to wind down after a hectic day or feeling poorly? Turn to the gentle therapeutic stretches to calm you and help you relax. Superstretch is particularly impressive because it takes stretching to a new level. Regardless of whether you have never stretched before or have stretched for years, it will challenge you in your stretching. Keep the stretch light, or if you limber, are particularly limbre, progress to the developmental stretch. (Being unusually that limber myself, I have had an impossible time finding stretch books which are anywhere close to effective. Superstretch is the only one I have found that can challenge me.) Pros: lowercase first letter of each bulleted entry Detailed, easy-to-follow steps Great pictures demonstrating different progressions of the stretches, as well as which muscles are being affected Focus on breathing Stretches for any activity and time of day Stretches that target every muscle Cons: None! 5/5 The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library s health book section is easily located at the Health Neighborhood in the Adult West Wing. Check back here to read my weekly reviews on diet and exercise books and DVDs available to be TSCPL. checked out from TCSPL. Check online at tscpl.org to see if the book is checked in now or to have it put on hold.