calf stretches

moejo3

I need some new calf stretches. My calves are very very tight. I do yoga so, I stretch them pretty well but, they are still super tight. Any great stretches out there for this part of the body?

TGKvr

The best thing I seem to find for calves is simple calf raises on stairs. So on the ball of your feet, raise all the way up, then drop down so your heel is below the step. I usually do about 5 sets of 15 and if I'm really focusing, my calves hurt the next day!
The other is to stretch on a slant board - or make one so your toes are raised up and your heel is closer to the ground, then lean in towards your toes with your body straight. Typically 10 sets of 10 second holds.
I do both of these in PT and they are great, so I do them at home too.

Not sure how this is different from what you do in yoga, though, as I've not done much yoga.

leslisa

on your back, hook a belt or towel around your foot, raise leg so it is perpendicular to your other leg (or as high as you can), move leg to middle and hold. this is what my kid does for shin splints and calves. recommended by physical therapist. Also, if you have a place to tie a band, you can hook it around your foot (opposite the band) and point toe towards wall, then bring up to perpendicular to wall. Also, try having someone move foot left and right as this range of motion makes a difference, too. Hope this helps.

moejo3

Great ideas! Thanks!