If you want to learn how to stretch better, first you need to realize what isn’t working. While you may not realize it, it’s quite likely your body is tensing up.

And this can happen for a few reasons:

• Your body resists discomfort. When an area feels really tight, your muscles naturally tense up to protect you from the sensation.
• You’re distracted. Maybe you’re thinking about your to-do list, mentally planning dinner, or just rushing through the movements to check them off your list.
• You’re carrying stress. When we’re stressed our bodies hold that tension, often in the very area we’re trying to release!

But here’s the problem: when your muscles are tense, they can’t stretch effectively.

However, this happens subconsciously. Which, in a way, is good news, because that means if you consciously direct your attention to the area you’re stretching, you can allow it to relax.

(Side note: This tip goes beyond stretching. Every trip to the dentist, I go through many cycles of “uh oh, I’m tense, time to relax”.)

How Breathing Improves Your Stretching:

When you soften and relax, your body opens up more easily. Your breath is one of the best tools to help you do that.

This short 6-minute relaxing stretch routine will help you slow down, breathe deeply, connect with your body and open your shoulders & hips. It’s perfect if you’re looking for gentle stretching, stress relief, or a quick way to unwind after sitting all day.

This routine targets the shoulders and hips — two areas that hold a lot of tension after a long day. You’ll feel more open, relaxed, and ready to move. Breathe in, breathe out, enjoy!