Excercise: The Stretch

The warm up and stretching are a priority. Cold muscles are grumpy muscles. Grumpy muscles are an injury waiting to happen (like what happened this morning leaning over the dust pan).

On my right side, I felt a muscle cramping up. Immediately I stop what I'm doing when that happens. As slight and brief as the muscle cramp was, the area is still tender.

No matter what age, I believe, stretching is a component of keeping yourself healthy.

I learned in the late 1980s when taking martial arts instruction, stretching my muscles properly is as important as the action itself. Sitting on the floor in a leaning position with my head on the floor, I nearly fell asleep, I was that relaxed. The sensei explained to me to follow the right amount of stretching.

This morning is a wake up call. I am old. Stretching must be a daily routine. The odd moment of remember to stretch something isn't enough. A routine for all muscles at my ability level is the best way for me to keep healthy.

The Importance of Stretching, 

Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing

Stretches for Exercise and Flexibility 

American Heart Association