Stretching & Flexibility

As someone who has never been flexible and couldn't figure out why (I always thought something was just wrong with me), I was truly delighted to find this book. Lesser books show models falling into position as if it were pleasant and easy, with no real narrative of what it might feel like to an adult just starting to work on this. Yet even as a youngster I couldn't sit on the floor with my legs straight out and did not understand why it was so hard for me. This book addresses people like me directly. It opens with Laughlin's account of his own puzzling inflexibility. Dancers he knew had such an ease about them that he was convinced they were somehow made differently from him. The rest of the book is a detailed explanation of what flexibility is, followed by the exercises. Some of the exercises were nice surprises, ways I never would have thought of to stretch. Sharing them with friends ("try this!") has provoked many "wow"s. I showed one to a friend, and now he has other friends convinced that he's a healer because they feel so good when he presses down on their shoulders for them, as shown in the book. I also bought the DVD. A no-nonsense, no fluff production. Well worth it.

This book shows you how to progress in your stretching. There is always a basic stretch and then an advance stretch. This book does not assume that you are already flexible. Many of the stretches are good for people who are not atheletes and just want to improve their general flexibility. However, atheletes will be well served by the advanced stretches. The narration is good and replaces an instructor well. The book even goes into common errors that people experience with particular stretches so that you can avoid those mistakes and improve your technique.

Not only an excellent book on stretching but an even better template on what a "how to" guide should include: photographs (from different angles), thorough explanations, without filler. It includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced in one volume, rather than "spreading" them across three or four books. That, to me, demonstrates a great deal of integrity on the authors' part. There are partner exercises as well as individual exercises for each muscle group. I would place Stuart McRobert's Insider's Guide to Weight Training in the same category. Solid, user friendly, and thorough work.

I have had this book for 5 weeks and can tell you that it is an effective means of increasing your range by informing you what proper stretching is all about. My guess about the people who didn't like this book is that they are use to the "Stretching for Dummies" type writing style where they can open the book, assume a position, and get busy. This is not that type of book. I suspect that people of that nature will never benefit from any stretching book as stretching requires diligence, determination, and patience, all three of which the negative reviewers seem to lack. That being said, I have gained greatly in some areas and not so much in other areas. Having done both yoga and pilates I know enough to know that it is probably related to my technique. Nonetheless, this is the optimum book for stretching as I have own Pavel's, Wharton's, and others. On top of everthing else I have said, Kit has a website with a discussion board where you can ask questions and Kit, along with others, will answer.

This is by far the best book on flexibility training that I have ever come across. I am sure it will become the ultimate reference text on this issue. The text and illustrations are detailed and complete. Every aspect of each exercise is discussed. The book does not take any short cuts. Very precise information is also given on how to go into and out of stretches, and how every muscle involved is to be used. This is the sort of information that is essential to proper stretching, but is normally missing from flexibility books. It finishes with stretching recommendations for different sports.