Classical Stretch

"Physical Fitness" Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2004: “the ability of the human body to function with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to engage in leisure activities, and to meet physical stresses.”

Contrary to what many people think fitness is not equated to being thin or having bulgy muscles. It is about your stamina, endurance and your ability to perform all the tasks you wish to perform with ease and comfort. To consider yourself fit you shouldn’t be out of breath carrying the groceries into the house, or walking up a set of stairs. You should be able to have full energy even at the end of the day and not be exhausted by noon. Aging is not an excuse to stop being able to continue enjoying an active life. Fatigue has very little to do with aging and everything to do with strength and flexibility.

Being fit has nothing to do with looking fit; it has to be real genuine fitness. Over the years I’ve seen the full spectrum of people, those who are thin and really out of shape fatiguing rapidly and those that are thin and in extraordinarily good shape. Looks can be deceiving! I’ve seen people who are the picture of strength and the overtraining has literally immobilized their bodies leading to a lot of pain and atrophy.
As the definition above states being fit involves much more than being thin or looking fit but rather physical fitness involves the reality of the person energy level, ability to move comfortably and remain pain free, and the ability to easily perform ordinary daily chores and activities.

According to Medical News Today, overall fitness is made up of five main components:

Cardio respiratory endurance: Is the ability of the body's circulatory and respiratory systems to supply fuel during sustained physical activity (USDHHS, 1996 as adapted from Corbin & Lindsey, 1994). To improve your cardio respiratory endurance, try activities that keep your heart rate elevated at a safe level for a sustained length of time. The activity that you choose does not have to be strenuous to improve cardio respiratory endurance.

Classical Stretch can raise the heart rate if you do it for a ½ hour workout. It is a strength training non-stop no-impact. At the end of ½ and hour if you find yourself sweating then you know that you have done a no-impact cardio workout.

Muscular strength: Is the ability of the muscle to exert force during an activity (USDHHS, 1996 as adapted from Wilmore & Costill, 1994). The key to making your muscles stronger is working them against resistance, whether that be from weights or gravity.

In Classical Stretch all the movements are done weight free using the body’s own weight as the weights. All the bending, plies, lunges and kicks load the core, thighs, hips, feet and abdominals are loading exercises that are intended to strengthen the muscles. (note: never use weights in Classical Stretch as you could injure your joints)

Muscular endurance: Is the ability of the muscle to continue to perform without fatigue (USDHHS, 1996 as adapted from Wilmore & Costill, 1994). To improve your muscle endurance, try cardio-respiratory activities such as walking, jogging, bicycling, or dancing.

Classical Stretch is an endurance workout with no stop and breaks between any exercises. The only time we stop is to find a mat or do barre work.

Body composition: Refers to the relative amount of muscle, fat, bone, and other vital parts of the body (USDHHS, 1996 as adapted from Corbin and Lindsey, 1994). Are you overweight? Eating a healthy diet full of whole grains, whole foods, fruits and vegetables will help you readjust your body composition. Read “The China Study”.

Flexibility: Flexibility is the range of motion around a joint (USDHHS, 1996 as adapted from Wilmore & Costill, 1994). Good flexibility in the joints can help prevent injuries through all stages of life. If you want to improve your flexibility, try activities that lengthen the muscles such as swimming or a basic stretching program.

Classical Stretch is a flexibility program aimed at every joint in the body. It should leave you straighter, looser, improve your posture, increase your circulation and make you feel terrific.