Stretching is Out
Why STRETCHING IS OUT
“Static Stretching can cause architectural damage and may interfere with the structural integrity of the connective tissue. The notion that people should be trying to increase range of motion every time they stretch is not one to be supported”, says John Sharkey, The Concise Book of Neuromuscular Therapy, 2008.
“Science has moved on… many athletes’ warm-up regimens are not only a waste of time but actually bad for you. The old presumption that holding a stretch for 20 to 30 seconds- known as static stretching-primes muscles for a workout is dead wrong. It actually weakens them.” William Holcomb, PhD, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“Stretching one leg’s muscles can reduce strength in the other leg as well, probably because the central nervous system rebels against the movements… The straining muscle becomes less responsive and stays weakened for up to 30 minutes after stretching, which is not how an athlete wants to begin a workout”, Malachy McHugh, the director of research at the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma.
What to do instead?
Use Your Brain
Neuroplasticity has the power to produce more flexible but also more rigid behaviors – ‘the plastic paradox’. Understanding both the positive and negative effects of plasticity can we truly understand the extent of human possibilities.
To be mobile, consistent natural movement of the limbs will do. Learning something truly new with intense focus will create the changes in your brain. Norman Doidge, The Brain that Changes Itself.
“Central Nervous system programming (changing your brain) is the most important aspect of all exercise-and must never be neglected at all stages of training”, Mel C Siff, Facts and Fallacies of Fitness.
“You are physically flexible when you are agile, supple, and childlike in your movements…”, Bob, Cooley,The Genius of Flexibility.
How to get there?
Healthy vertebrate animals PANDICULATE themselves to have all the range of motion, agility, speed, strength, and quickness, to move as well as they can. They keep their brains fit and muscles nimble.
Pandiculation is what a healthy vertebrate animal uses to arouse its brain to control its muscles. You see, when an animal stretches, it isn’t. It’s contracting itself in an entire body pattern, then it slowly releases itself. Now it’s ready to move…
If you understand how the brain works, then you can systematically unwind yourself from your stiffness, pains, aches in your game or activity.
Can you recover from injury more quickly than your peers?
Your brain is the key in releasing the neurochemicals to change the resting levels of your muscles so you can move as easily, agilely, and quickly as any healthy animal. Applying proper neuroplasticity will get you there.
Understanding pandiculation is like FREE DRUGS.
Your brain is just sitting there waiting for you to turn the key and awaken your PANDICULAR PROCESS. Whoa!
Somatics, aka Pandiculation, is a systematic approach to instantly release your muscles which have been holding on. Use your brain, the way nature intended.
STOP playing your game like a stiff old person and change yourself using your brain’s own internal process…
Your muscles which you’ve tried to lengthen by other means, may have their function compromised. or injured but this can be changed via your brain’s motor cortex.
Somatics, using the Pandicular Process, is designed for those of you who play your game in pain, move stiffly, awkwardly, or can’t recover from injury, etc. … and prefer to move with better performance.
Let your brain adjust the information to the muscles and you’ll understand why you need to program your muscles via your central nervous system.
After all, it’s just a game you are playing.
How long do you want to play it?
How long do you want to coach those younger players with the same old, out dated approach?
If you aren’t moving well or are no longer playing because of your pains, it’s time to keep up with the science of change and brain fitness which is where it is at.
If this is a new concept for you, or if you just want to learn more… you can pandiculate your way to health.