When combined with the right diet and pranayama, it gives amazing results.
Active stretching is part of yin yoga that helps in opening the blocked channels of the lymph and draining out toxins and free radicals that are produced from stress, pollution and other toxins from environment and food.
Most of the people who lose weight fast are the ones who retain water or lose bone density. Losing and gaining fat takes time. It is water retention that makes you look fat most of the time, especially in women.
The good news is that if you have vata prakruti [ you have been thin for most of your life, are a person with a lot of ideas, mental chatter and a sharp mind ], the most beneficial exercise would be Active Stretching.
WHAT IS ACTIVE STRETCHING AND HOW TO DO IT?
Active stretching is a method of improving flexibility and opening the blocked detox channels in the body.
Let me give you an example first for better understanding:
If you are lying on your back on the floor and lifting your leg upright to the ceiling [ until you feel your hamstring stretch ], it is an active stretch.
Holding that position without a strap requires active work from your hip flexors and core to keep your leg in the air, while your hamstrings, the muscles on the opposite side of the hip joint are statically stretching.
Holding yoga poses is the best example of active stretching.
Active stretching is also called static active stretching because the end position of stretch is held for a set amount of time.
These stretches can be held for 20 seconds initially to a maximum of 30 seconds.
How to do active stretching:
THE BEST WAY TO STRETCH THE WHOLE BODY IS THE 7 CHAKRA WHEEL BALANCING.
You can watch my video also for reference.
Steps To Do Active Stretching:
1. If you are not doing a full body chakra wheel balancing stretch, choose a target muscle that you would like to stretch and select the corresponding pose.
For example, choose the chest muscles [ pectorals ] and biceps.
2. Flex the agonist muscle or muscle on the opposite side of the muscle being stretched.
For example, the target area of the chest, the agonists are the deltoids, mid rib, rhomboids and other back and shoulder muscles.
The antagonist would be chest muscles and biceps.
· Stand up straight.
· Separate all toes and fingers from each other and place your leg firmly.
· Reach both arms out of the side at 90 degree with a straight elbow with the palm facing upwards
· Open the arms as wide as possible and set your mind into expansion and contraction of chest.
This stretch will not only strengthen your chest muscle but also reduce sagging arms, strengthen your core and improve posture.
Chest expansion helps boost immunity and easing psychosomatic problems.
According to chakra therapy, holding a chest expansion is the pathway for abundant health, wealth and blessed relationships. The best way to open blocked channels, including those blocked by emotions in the heart chakra, is through these exercises..
DO LESS AND ACHIEVE MORE RESULTS. THIS IS THE SUMMARY OF ACTIVE STRETCHING.