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Relax into Stretch: Instant Flexibility Through Mastering Muscle Tension
Conventional stretching attempts to literally elongate your tissues, which is dangerous and ineffective. Relax into Stretch simply teaches your muscles to relax into a stretch. If you compare traditional training to a messy hardware reorganization, then Relax into Stretch is an efficient software upgrade.While stretching tissues may take years, changes in the nervous system are immediate! Your muscles will start noticeably elongating from your first Relax into Stretch practice-and within months you will have achieved a level of flexibility uncommon in our species.-Pavel Tsatsouline. Own an illustrated guide to the thirty-six most effective techniques for super-flexibility. How the secret of mastering your emotions can add immediate inches to your stretch. How to wait out your tension-the surprising key to greater mobility and a better stretch. How to fool your reflexes into giving you all the stretch you want. Why contract-relax stretching is 267% more effective than conventional relaxed stretching. How to breathe your way to greater flexibility. Using the Russian technique of Forced Relaxation as your ultimate stretching weapon. How to stretch when injured-faster, safer ways to heal. Young, old, male, female-learn what stretches are best for you and what stretches to avoid. Why excessive flexibility can be detrimental to athletic performance-and how to determine your real flexibility needs.Plateau-busting strategies for the chronically inflexible
152 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 2, 2021
Pavel Tsatsouline teaches a stretching method I never would have dreamed of doing. Most people stretch by bending, tugging, or pulling. It uses a technique called Forced Relaxation. By using tension, you are actually flexing into a stretch.
It sounds impossible "You can't stretch a tense muscle!" But this method makes you wait out your tension and increases flexibility.
This is a very remarkable book and I highly recommend it. Honestly, I recommend anything by Pavel. Thanks!
It sounds impossible "You can't stretch a tense muscle!" But this method makes you wait out your tension and increases flexibility.
This is a very remarkable book and I highly recommend it. Honestly, I recommend anything by Pavel. Thanks!
February 16, 2013
Not a lot of science here, and the writer over does his former-Soviet army gimmick. Also, the ads at the back of the book didn't help the experience (ab pavelizer? Seriously, his abs aren't even that impressive). Not too many specifics about programming either, or how to integrate it with your sports or strength training. Extensively references his other books. That being said, there is solid, concise advice here and I'll give it a whirl.
December 11, 2019
This book introduces an interesting technique for stretching. Instead of just sort of pushing yourself in a stretch, you have to flex into the stretch and then relax and wait out the tension; repeat and stretch further. It works. I instantly was able to stretch further after reading the book and I learned how to properly stretch my muscles vs stretching my tendons and ligaments, which I had been doing in a lot of positions. I did one of the stretches in the back of the book that he warned was dangerous and you could hurt yourself and I kinda did. It wasn't major but be careful and heed his words if you're going to practice the material.
There is also a mental component to stretching that I did not know about before reading this book. It's your mind and nervous system all working together to keep you from stretching further because it is painful and a bit scary. If you can overcome your mental limitations you can overcome your stretching limitations.
I definitely learned something from this book. If you want to know more about stretching and be better at it then read this. Use caution though.
There is also a mental component to stretching that I did not know about before reading this book. It's your mind and nervous system all working together to keep you from stretching further because it is painful and a bit scary. If you can overcome your mental limitations you can overcome your stretching limitations.
I definitely learned something from this book. If you want to know more about stretching and be better at it then read this. Use caution though.
February 11, 2021
The main information (after an introductory section) is laid out in two sections: basic and advanced. Each section begins with a list of the stretches with a thumbnail picture next each for easily locating what you're looking for. There is just the right balance of images and explanation throughout the book.
The stretches are indeed helpful. After a couple of months, my flexibility is clearly increasing and there is a lot more I can aim for in this book. It complements my yoga and strength practices nicely. Highly recommended.
The stretches are indeed helpful. After a couple of months, my flexibility is clearly increasing and there is a lot more I can aim for in this book. It complements my yoga and strength practices nicely. Highly recommended.
September 22, 2019
Really good descriptions and step by step instructions. I just wish he gave a recommended series so to have less to think about.
October 26, 2022
Not always clear how exactly the contract- relax methodologies are to be successfully performed and utilized
July 5, 2018
Great book on how to improve your flexibility. Very solid and no-bullshit although I get it if people find the Soviet-army-style-gimmick a bit much at times.
If you can bare the language you will love this book.
A lot of exercises with pictures and do’s and don’ts. I can guarantee that you will increase your flexibility and mobility within 30 minutes after reading.
If you can bare the language you will love this book.
A lot of exercises with pictures and do’s and don’ts. I can guarantee that you will increase your flexibility and mobility within 30 minutes after reading.
February 23, 2019
Sone interesting aspects and demonstrations for stretching. But too much "comrade" and ads in it. Though it was damn short, in the good way
Taking into account when that shit got published, a solid 4* piece.
Taking into account when that shit got published, a solid 4* piece.
December 6, 2021
Good read, short and sweet. Informative and detailed. And as with most stuff by Pavel, he introduces you to a method of doing things thats different from the norm, but effective.
Good read, priceless if you wanna become more flexible
Good read, priceless if you wanna become more flexible
June 10, 2023
Yet another succinct, useful and actionable manual from Pavel backed by enough science to be credible. I will be fooling my stretch reflex into doing full splits at the age of 43 in no time so my daughter, whose faith in my ability to do so is at zero, will be proven 100% wrong. Eat it, Amelia.
June 18, 2017
Love Pavel. Found his stuff from my kettlebell work, but this is great stuff too.
December 23, 2016
Good concepts about mental barriers that cause inflexibility and how to strengthen yourself in those positions, this becoming more flexible.
If you are weak in a position, your body would resist going into that range of motion.
If you are weak in a position, your body would resist going into that range of motion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2012
No nonsense "tough love" tone. Premise is to tense your muscles then release the tension, to help you relax into a stretch. I don't think I'll be able to get it right though without a professional pointing out what I'm doing wrong that could potentially be harmful to my ligaments or knees.
EDIT: I tried the stretch for the saddle split (after 15 to 30 minutes of warming up, of course), where you pretend you're kicking the walls apart with your feet, which tenses you. Then you breathe out and let your chest drop closer to the floor. I couldn't believe it but this was the farthest I've gotten in my stretch. I don't know if I was already capable of this before (the book says that you are), but by putting a bit of faith in his theory, I was able to stretch as I never have before. Will have to go over this book one more time.
For anyone interested in the videos he has his own YouTube channel:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuU4E2...
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB02UY...
Paer 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaljiH...
EDIT: I tried the stretch for the saddle split (after 15 to 30 minutes of warming up, of course), where you pretend you're kicking the walls apart with your feet, which tenses you. Then you breathe out and let your chest drop closer to the floor. I couldn't believe it but this was the farthest I've gotten in my stretch. I don't know if I was already capable of this before (the book says that you are), but by putting a bit of faith in his theory, I was able to stretch as I never have before. Will have to go over this book one more time.
For anyone interested in the videos he has his own YouTube channel:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuU4E2...
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB02UY...
Paer 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaljiH...
September 22, 2011
I never would have guessed a book on stretching could be this good. But don't expect me to be doing a split like the cover any time soon. :-) The author points to studies that suggest sports injuries are lowest when flexibility is matched to your sport, too little or too much flexibility can cause problems. Anyway, this book is very conceptual and visual. It is a quick, enjoyable read.
October 31, 2014
Excellent. Practical excercises that worked for me. I lift weights and jog on a consistent basis. This is my go-to book for stretching. I was also surprised to learn that I had a few misconceptions about stretching and flexibility in general, things I just accepted as truths before reading this book. I'd like to read more by this author on fitness in general.
April 29, 2015
Pavel's explanations are clear and concise, and his techniques are simple and effective. His explanation of how and why muscles stretch and what flexibility really means were eye-opening. Many of the stretches were new to me and allowed me to stretch further and with less pain than ever before. I'm sure the lessons and exercises from this book will stay with me for a long time.
March 29, 2015
Tough to compare after reading the ultimate mobility bible "Becoming a Supple Leopard". I would start there if you're only going to read one book in functional mobility. Otherwise there are concepts in this book like Forced Relaxation and the Clasped Knife still make it worth the read.
July 1, 2023
Venía motivado de leer de The Naked Warrior y el método GTG. En este caso, el planteamiento para el estiramiento es bueno, pero ya había leído sobre metodologías similares. De todos modos es un game changer para su época.
October 8, 2011
YEeeowwwwch...Good book.
October 28, 2012
Stiff bodies full of tension will be more prone to injuries and/or discomfort. Most elderly are pretty stiff creatures. All it takes is 5-10 minutes of stretching a day. He will show you how.
January 5, 2013
One of the first Dragon Door books I ever read.
January 25, 2021
Exactamente lo que propone la portada. Un manual sobre estiramientos con la fundamentación científica habitual en el autor, y una tabla de diversos ejercicios de flexibilidad.
February 3, 2013
A reminder from physiology about how stretching works and why PNF/contract relax agonist contract works so well.
December 13, 2014
This is one of the most comprehensive and practical stretchung guides I've come across. Like a lot of Pavel's stuff, it works.
February 19, 2015
A very solid manual... Not everyone will have time to go through all these stretches but the information, guides and stretches are invaluable.
February 6, 2016
Not bad
March 2, 2016
Very useful and user-friendly, can't wait to try some of these techniques to improve my flexibility for martial arts!
June 26, 2016
I wasn't crazy about the book but I respect Pavel.
August 4, 2016
Some good cues and form descriptions for breathing and stretches.
Read during uni at some point, re-read couple times, latest in 2016
Read during uni at some point, re-read couple times, latest in 2016
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews