Stretch Head

Is putting your legs behind your head a good way to relax and stretch? I am pretty close to being able to put my legs behind my head, is this a good way to relieve stress and stretch out my body? If so, what parts of my body will I be stretching. (I am naturally flexible) If you are naturally flexible and you don't experience discomfort while doing that I guess it is.But I heard from my ballet teacher that doing that too much will actually misalign your pelvic bones and although not very noticeable,might mishape your posture a little bit.

45x35x65 Large Parrot Bird Cage Macaw Finch House Play Top Cages Black Vein John 316 Spanish Lords prayer stretch Mobius cross bangle bracelet bookmark HeavyLift WristWrap Weight Lifting Exercise Gloves Large Black Power Leather Full Lace 100 Indian Remy Human Hair Natural Wavy Wavy Wig 22 Rilyn VINTAGE MAJORETTE UNIFORMS BATON TWIRLER SEQUINS RED WHITE HeavyLift Wrist Wrap Weight Lifting Exercise Gloves S Adult baby KNIT DIAPER SHIRT GIANT PACI DESIGN CUSTOM MADE CHOOSE KNIT COLOR Women Light Khaki Stretch Warm Roll Up Knit Beanie Cap Full Lace 100 Indian Remy Human Hair Natural Wavy Wavy Wig 20 Dian RELAX TONE Body Sculptor 220V NWT Lululemon Special Edition Scuba in Paris Pink Black Dip Dye Size 6 Easter Rabbit Ventriloquist Puppet for Teachers or Ministry Brand New Drive Medical Low Air Loss Alternating Pressure Hospital Bed Mattress Med Aire New Chunky Heart Stretch Beaded Bracelet Free Shipping Betsey Johnson Dark Forest Pave Rabbit Deer Fox Bear Charm Stretch Bracelet Baby Lotion by Lafes Organic Baby 6 oz FAB BANDEAU STRETCH JERSEY DRESS IN BLACK WHITE SKULL PRINT GOTH PUNK EMO SIZEM RELAX TONE Boby Massager Sculptor of your body 220V 24 Dog Crate Cage Divider Midwest Life Stages 1624 New 42 Double Door Dog Crate Divider Midwest Life Stages 1642DD Diamond Illusion Monofilament Line 1 lb Spool 12 lb 5800 yd Mystic Diamond Illusion Monofilament Line 1 lb Spool 8 lb 8110 yd Mystic Western Filament Tuf Line XP 600 yd Spool 80 lb Dark Green Diamond Illusion Monofilament Line 16 lb 300 yd Mystic Green Western Filament Tuf Line XP 600 yd Spool 50 lb Dark Green Diamond Illusion Monofilament Line 12 lb 300 yd Mystic Green Diamond Illusion Monofilament Line 1 lb Spool 30 lb 2020 yd Mystic BLACK MOCK 2 1 4 TURTLENECK DICKIE dickey dicky dickies womens mens cotton NEW Diamond Illusion Monofilament Line 1 lb Spool 16 lb 4050 yd Mystic Western Filament Tuf Line XP 2500 yd Spool 200 lb Hi Vis Yellow Western Filament Tuf Line XP 2500 yd Spool 50 lb Hi Vis Yellow Western Filament Tuf Line XP 1200 yd Spool 50 lb Hi Vis Yellow Momoi Diamond Braid Spectra 600 yd Spool 130 lb Hollow Orange Momoi Diamond Braid Spectra 5000 yd Spool 65 lb Non Hollow Orange Western Filament Tuf Line XP 1200 yd Spool 50 lb Dark Green Momoi Diamond Braid Spectra 1200 yd Spool 130 lb Hollow Orange Western Filament Tuf Line XP 600 yd Spool 100 lb Hi Vis Yellow Powered by phpBay Pro

Stretching for Back Pain

The main difference between Pilates and individual stretches is that the whole body is taken into consideration when doing Pilates and not just individual body parts.  The Pilates instructor usually first meets with his or her client so that the both of them can assess what is going on either in terms of postural instability and/or muscle imbalance.  Stretching simply concentrates on the different parts of the body or muscle groups and stretches them out for a certain number of repetitions.
By both strengthening and strengthening the muscles of you stomach, back, thighs and core you can help to reduce or alleviate problems that you may be having with back pain.

Below are some helpful exercises that are specifically directed toward strengthening your aching back.  Remember that it is very important that you discuss any exercise program with your doctor before beginning a stretching program.  Soon your aching back will feel better again.

Wall Slides

• Stand up straight and tall with your back against a hard surface such as a wall and your feet a shoulder’s width apart
• Slowly bend at the knees and slide your back down the wall.  Keep sliding for a count of 5 or until your knees are bent at an angle of 45 degrees.
• Stay in this position for 5 seconds
• Begin to straighten your knees for a count of 5 and slide up the wall until your knees are in a straight position
• Repeat the above steps for 5 repetitions
• Do this stretching exercise three times a day

Prone Leg Raises

• Begin by lying flat on your stomach
• First lift one leg off the floor and raise it 2 feet in the air
• Hold this position for 10 seconds
• Relax
• Then repeat this process with the opposite leg
• Repeat these steps for five more repetitions
• Do this exercise three times a day

Supine Leg Raises

• Begin by lying flat on your back
• Lift one leg off the floor and raise it 2 feet in the air
• Hold this position for 10 seconds
• Relax
• Then repeat this process with the opposite leg
• Repeat these steps for five more repetitions
• Do this exercise three times a day

Semi Sit Ups

• Assume the normal sit-up position, that is, lying flat on your back and have your knees bent and feet flat on the floor
• Only raise your head and shoulders off the floor
• Hold this position for 10 seconds
• Relax and return your head and shoulders to floor
• Repeat these steps for five more repetitions
• Do this exercise three times a day

Standing Back Stretch

• Stand in an upright position with your feet a shoulder’s length apart
• Put your hands in that hollow spot in your back called the small of your back
• Bend back slowly as far as you can tolerate it while keeping your knees straight
• Keep holding this position for 5 seconds
• Relax
• Repeat these steps five more times
• Do this stretching exercise three times a day

There are a range of DVD's on sale at www.pilatesorstretchforbackpain.com which have been recommended by a leading British Osteopath/Physiotherapist.
Please visit my blog at www.stretchorpilatesforbackpain.com

About the Author

The author, Steven Giles is a 55 year old former accountant who has been suffering from back pain for several years and has found that Pilates provides relief from this. He lives in Greater Manchester in the North-West of England.