Some stretching questions

meatpuppet999

I've been stretching my whole body for ~10 minutes a day for a month, but I'm not seeing a whole lot of improvement in flexibility. Should I be taking rest days? I'm wondering if maybe I'm not giving my muscles a proper chance to repair themselves or something. Also, how long should I hold each stretch? I've only been holding ~10 seconds which may be my problem, I just didn't want to overdo it! Lastly, the most difficult stretch for me is pulling my knees to my chest, I feel a pain deep in my hip socket and my leg does not want to co-operate. Should I keep trying this stretch or am I doing more harm than good?
Thanks in advance!

melaniecheeks

Are you stretching before or after exercise? or just stretching for its own sake? Where ae you getting your stretching routine from?

I'd recommend yoga for increasing your flexibility. And dont do anything which causes you pain.

yogicarl

Hi - it would be difficult for anyone to give advice on here even if they were well qualified because they/we don't have your body, and what you are doing with it, in front of us.

The best advice would be to seek out a qualified, certificated and insured yoga teacher who will be able to view what you are doing and correct your approach and technique. You will then be increasing suppleness tempered with strengh which is needed to promote joint stability while you increase mobility.

There is a big difference between the slight discomfort of a good stretch and the pain of a damaging movement. A good teacher will show you how to work safely.

I hope this helps, and wish you all the best.