LifeStretch® is a mobility-stretch class that is designed to help your individual clients or group members become more flexible in body, mind and spirit so that they feel not only more functionally mobile but also more capable to deal with the physical and mental demands of their lives. This comes from a non-competitive atmosphere in class that focuses on the innate physical intelligence and abilities within the individual. Instead of comparing oneself to others or to the person next to them in class, the participant is encouraged to find the best way to move and function for them, not some ideal. LifeStretch starts in standing and proceeds with movements that are an assessment of how the self feels with movements that should be easy, free and fluid. Movements are progressed and smoothly transitioned to the floor on a mat for a variety of flowing and constantly moving pain-free mobilizations and stretches. These movements have a logical flow, mobilizing joints and shorter chains with smaller muscles and fascia. Movements then progress to longer chains of multiple joints and larger muscles and fascia. Participants are encouraged to find their own way of progressive movements that are pain-free and efficient. The reward is not only feeling and seeing a progressive increase in movement with ease but also experiencing the sense of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing that accompanies it. As opposed to targeting isolated, single muscles, LifeStretch is a functional mobility and stretch class or individual program that progresses through entire chains of neuro-myo-fascia. It recognizes that the brain learns movement patterns in multiple planes not with uniplanar isolated muscle contractions. Consequently, it uses movement patterns that work with the biology of the body, namely waves. Light waves enter the skin and eyes, activating physiological reactions that keep us alive and make us see. EKG signals are the waves of the heart, as it oscillates and beats to propagate the waves of blood that create pulses felt throughout the body. In keeping with that theme, LifeStretch uses the StretchWave™ as the fundamental way to move the body in an easy, comfortable undulating and oscillating fashion to move freely. The StretchWave breaks through movement restrictions not by painful or excessive force but by synchronizing breathing with efficient movement to facilitate the best path for an individual’s body to take. In this way, each person experiences LifeStretch as if it was designed specifically for them. With regular class participation, attendees will realize huge gains in mobility and function quicker than they ever have before. LifeStretch® — How it works
One unique feature of the choreography of LifeStretch is the use of self-traction to create space in joints, greater ease of movement, avoid pinching joints and to yield bigger gains in mobility. When traction with inhalation is followed by exhalation on the mobility-stretch sequences, range of motion increases rapidly without discomfort. Since many people have past negative experiences with stretching being painful and/or too time consuming with little benefit, their positive LifeStretch experience will ensure regular, frequent attendance. Oscillation-circumduction mobilizations lubricate and warm up joints prior to stretching, so that there is no risk of a negative stretch reflex or pain from moving/stretching too fast or too far. The brain and nervous system more quickly learns new movement patterns to replace faulty ones due to the non-painful, quick gains and ease with range of motion gains. Proprioception and kinesthesia—the abilities to sense movement and respond quickly and accurately while one is moving are greatly enhanced. Motor patterning is optimized and translates to more efficient posture, gait and other functional activities of daily living.
