Fitness Friday: Top 9 Reasons You Should Be Stretching + Yoga Mat Giveaway!

***Find out who is the most phenomenal woman I know & enter to win a $100 Visa Gift Card! Click here!***

Hellooo!! It’s Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday! Anyone else remember my favorite YouTube sensation? 

Well I’m back atcha with another edition of Fitness Friday! Plus, I have a sweet giveaway…an awesome yoga mat from Aurorae Yoga!

If you know me, you know it’s not easy for me to calm my mind. I always have a million things going on and my creative juices are always flowing. That’s probably why I like to escape and really sweat it out at dance cardio classes several times a week. 

But even us hard core cardio buffs need to sloooow things down every once in a while. There are days that I just don’t feel like jumping around and my body is begging for me to take it easy. On those days, I’ll do a quick strength training routine or perhaps  take a barre class. I am by noooo means a yogi, but I find it important to roll out my yoga mat, do a few sun salutations and lean into my achy muscles to stretch em out! And no, my toes don’t always match my mat!

Anyone who exercises consistently knows the feeling of tight hips, sore hamstrings, and an achy back. Because no matter how perfect your running form is, your muscles need l-o-v-e in the form of stretching. Unfortunately, stretching is one of the most neglected components of exercise, even in pricey exercise classes led by certified personal trainers.

[Tweet “Your muscles need love in the form of stretching! Find out the top 9 reasons you should be stretching via @ChelsAmer””]

To give you a bit more impetus to include this important practice in your exercise routine, here are the top 9 reasons you should stop neglecting your stretching:

1. Improve flexibility! 

Consistent stretching can help lengthen your muscles and maybe (just maybe) you’ll be able to touch your toes! Increased flexibility has also been shown to improve athletic performance so try adding stretches to your routine to shave a few seconds off your next race.

2. Fewer aches and pains…because no one enjoys waking up the next day when it hurts to walk!

Studies show that stretching (and cryotherapy!) can alleviate delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). And if you’ve ever had those post-exercise aches where it hurts to walk up/down the stairs, you know what I’m talking about!

3. Increase blood flow and circulation. 

The more blood that flows to your muscles, the better they heal after all those micro-tares that occur during your workout. Plus, you’re less likely to injure yourself! 

4. Improve posture. 

I don’t know about you, but my mom is always nagging at me to stand up straight. Even though I try (I prooomise!!!), it’s not always easy. Stretching can help improve posture by lengthening tight muscles that pull your body away from their intended position. (Try these stretches for better posture.)

5. Prevent injury by warming up pre-workout. 

Dynamic stretching, or stretching through movement [instead of holding a stretch in place], pre-workout boosts blood flow to your muscles and gets you ready to work it! Experts suggest a mild warm up (some jumping jacks) before you stretch so your muscles receive more blood flow and don’t tighten on you. Additionally, loosening your muscles and tendons will help alleviate muscle fatigue, which means a longer (and perhaps better?) workout for you!

6. Revitalize your energy and wake up your muscles. 

If you’re sitting all day your muscles will tighten, which can make recovery post-workout harder. Stretching boosts blood circulation, which can wake you up, help refocus your energy, and boost productivity! Try setting an alarm to remind you to get up and stretch at least once an hour!

Try these desk stretches!

7. Enhanced muscular coordination. 

Stretching not only increases your range of movement (ie: flexibility), but actually enhances coordination, which also helps prevent injury.

8. Calm your mind. 

Sitting still for even 30 second intervals during static stretches can help quiet your mind. Channel your energy into your stretch and shut out any noisy thoughts trying to work their way in. This is a great place to start learning how to sit still if you’ve been thinking of taking up meditation. 

{{Find your zen by following these steps!}}

9. Calm and cool down your body after your workout. 

You know when you jump in a shower when you’re still dripping from your sweat sesh and two minutes after you get out you’re still sweating so your shower was essentially a waste? Yeah, I don’t like that feeling either. Spend the extra time cooling down while stretching and your post-shower glory will feel that much better!

I know many yogis are extremely picky about their yoga mats, so when I was in the market for a mat I scoured the reviews online. Then Aurorae sent me one of their mats and I instantly fell in love! It sticks to the floor so there’s no sliding, it’s cushiony, but not too soft, and has a calming lavender color, which I love (you can pick your favorite color)! 

Aurorae yoga has been so kind to giveaway a yoga mat to one of my lucky readers! All you have to do is leave a comment telling me how you use a yoga mat and one lucky winner will WIN a best reviewed yoga mats! Check out their yoga mats and other yoga accessories here.

(Note: Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. Contest will remain open until Friday 8/21/15. A winner will be announced via Instagram on 8/22/15.) Giveaway is now closed. 

Happy stretching!!
XO

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post, but was provided with product to review. Aurorae sells the best reviewed yoga mats, yoga apparel,and yoga and meditation accessories online. You can browse their yoga mats, yoga bags, yoga apparel and other yoga accessories here. Check out Aurorae on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, and Instagram!)