Kevin Brown
Sadiqua Hamdan
Debbie Wysocki
Paul Ericson
Maureen Diaz
Janet Demeter
Liz Reitzig
Lauren Snyder Grosz
Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN
let'spoon
Morley Robbins
Janet Stuck, ND, CNC, MH, CNHP, CWE, LE
John Chisholm
Dr. Richard Walicki
Nicole Rice
Margie King
emotionalyoga
truthinthepublicinterest
Beck Anderson, RYT 200
Jimmy Moore
rawmilk95
meljoy96
fromprocessedtopure
Joette Calabrese
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Mark Sisson, the author of The Primal Blueprint, which hit number two on Amazon last week has some advice on stretching that may seem counterintuitive at first. Sisson uses a model, primal human, named Grok to illustrate how to eat and be fit in today’s upside down health and exercise world. Grok would never do chronic cardio or chronic strength training and follows the Primal Fitness Pyramid – sprints, lift heavy things, move frequently at a slow pace. This approach allows muscles to feel strong and supple nearly all of the time. Becoming sore and stiff post workout is natures’ way of telling you that you overdid it. Inactivity, extra rest and sleep, good nutrition, and brief repeated exposure to cold water (especially immediately after strenuous exercise) is key to muscle tissue repair.
To prepare your body for a workout, begin with a bit of brief, low-intensity exercise to help shift blood from the organs into your working muscles. Post
workout, consider doing a few basic stretches to transition from an active to inactive state. Sisson recommends the Grok Hang and the Grok Squat. The hang offers a full body stretch and is as easy as grabbing hold of a bar with an overhang grip and hanging for as long as you can. It’s exhilarating and is both a strengthening and stretching move. For the squat, place your feet about shoulder-width apart, bend your knees with a straight or slightly arched back and lower your torso all the way down until your butt is nearly touching the ground. Your torso will be between your knees and your arms extended in front. This one natural movement will efficiently stretch your feet, calves, Achilles, hamstrings, buttocks, lower and upper back, and shoulders.
A 20 second Grok Squat is a basic movement that delivers a comprehensive effect. Mark suggests that if you happen to be feeling warm and loose, try gently rocking back and forth or extending your arms out farther for an even deeper stretch. Use common sense: if you are overweight or have joint issues, ease into this stretch and hold onto a stationary object.
Lauren Snyder Grosz is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Educator. As a student on a lifelong quest for exceptional health and happiness, her mission is to empower people to take complete responsibility for their own health by rethinking everything we’ve assumed to be true and rediscovering what truly works based on accurate science.
