A complete stretching sequence?

[cryptolect]

I have a basic routine which I do with kettlebells which works lots of muscles across my whole body. Then afterwards I do a range of stretches which don't really reach as many muscles. What I would love is if there was a sort of stretching routine I could do which would be more of a whole-body thing, like my workout.

I'm thinking of the 'sun salutation' routine from yoga - it's a sequence you memorise, it's fluid like a dance with one movement leading into the next and it involves the whole body. Because it can be memorised like a routine it would be easier to do in my post exercise mindless fog. Unfortunately I find that the sun salutation doesn't really stretch a sufficient range of muscles strongly enough - but maybe I'm not doing it right?

I don't know if I'm looking for something which just isn't out there but I would welcome any suggestions.

Comments

[rydra_wong]

I'd suggest starting with more general yoga (the Yoga Journal podcasts are excellent) to develop familiarity with the poses and get back into the swing of it again, but then I suspect yin yoga would really hit the spot for you.

I've never found anything else that gets inside the hip joints like that. And it's good after a workout when the muscles are already warmed-up.

[cryptolect]

I have just had a quick look at Yin yoga and it has set a fire immediately. I really like this kind of practice, where you sit with it and deepen it and reflect on it.

And as an added bonus it seems as though it has a fairly basic set of concepts and exercises for me to grasp as a beginner.

I am going to start my explorations right here! *Awards you a Matchmaker's Badge*

Thank you again.

[rydra_wong]

\o/

I really like this kind of practice, where you sit with it and deepen it and reflect on it.

Okay, you're going to love yin yoga so much.

I highly recommend the DVD Yin Yoga: The Foundations of a Quiet Practice (you can get it from yogamatters.com or amazon.co.uk). It's full of good information and has some wonderful practice sequences, including a 70-minute hips-focused series.

[rydra_wong]

Another belated thought: try the two Yoga Journal hip-opener podcasts.

They're not yin yoga, but they do a nice range of hip-openers, working towards getting into half or full lotus (while keeping your knees safe).

[cryptolect]

Thanks, I'll put the DVD on my list and have another look at YJ in the mean time :)