Recently stretching is uncomfortable and frustrating...

AllysonKendal started this discussion · 7/14/2015

I'm just having a hard time stretching recently because everything hurts, but not in the way you'd expect.... Not screeching pain. I feel like I need so many freaking props and even then I can't get comfortable. I've had a few stretching setbacks (aka... I broke my stretching routine and haven't gotten back into it) But The last week or so I've really been trying... I need a pillow under my back knee because otherwise the floor is too hard. Even with a mat. I need to wear socks because I can't slide on the floor. I even ripped a cheap yoga mat trying to slide my front foot out. And even then my heel bone hurts on the floor. I might try moving back to the bedroom (where I stretched in the winter cause it's warmer) and just deal with the carpet burn... :/ Anyway I feel like maybe it's just stress, or pms, or something else, but I'm just cranky because I want to relax and stretch and sink down. I'm just venting, but I guess I'd like to know I'm not alone. Or if anyone has advice. Everyone looks so peaceful when they stretch, and I can't really remember but I feel like I used to feel like that. Maybe I just need to get past this point, I feel like when I am/was more flexible I was putting less pressure on my knee and heel because of the angle. Anyway I feel like I'm just going to be stretching on a bunch of pillows in the meantime...

4 replies

grayeyes · 7/14/2015
I feel like this to AK but I think it's more my age (quite a bit older than you) and lack of consistent stretching. I stretch maybe once a week if that and it is not enjoyable. It is more of a chore. When I was young I was quite flexible and stretching felt good. Now it hurts (feels achy) and is rather depressing because I remember how it used to be and it is SO far from that now. I want to stretch more often but I end up doing strength and cardio work over flexibility almost every time and I don't do enough of those either.
tacha666 · 7/15/2015
I'm really sensitive on my joints so I can totally relate. I bought a balance pad for my knee, the kind of things physio therapists use. That helps a lot! And my heel I place on a yoga block and put a towel underneath to help the block slide better. I guess you could cut that Balance pad in two pieces and put the other half under your heel as well. They're really comfy
Veena · 7/15/2015
That's totally normal when you've not been stretching. The best thing you can do is be sure your super warm before you start, like sweaty. Start off with less intense stuff and move to higher intensity. The first session back is always rough for me.
makasha · 7/16/2015
Another older poler here; stretching is my bane. But I have learned to listen to my nutrition counselor (what a battle THAT has been, of course she's right but my brain is really really stubborn sometimes!). Anyhoo, what sets me back is lack of hydration, and consuming too much sugar. Sugar causes inflammation, and not just in your joints. In all your tissues as well. Makes the muscles not want to lengthen and relax, let me tell you. I can easily tell if my body is or is not well-hydrated just by trying to stretch my hamstrings. So try making sure you've had plenty of water to drink as well as Veena's awesome advice to be really warm, like sweating, before trying to stretch.