Assisted Stretches

Assisted stretches are those that require an external prop, such as a strap or a wall, or the help of another person. Assistance allows you to perform stretches that would otherwise be difficult or impossible, which helps deepen stretches and improve results.

A strap helps you to apply pressure to muscles that would be tough to achieve using just your body.

If you need extra balance and support when performing a stretch that involves standing up, you can use an ordinary wall for assistance. When using a wall, make sure that your hand, foot, or back contacts the wall as evenly and completely as possible—avoid using just fingers, toes, or a portion of your back to contact the wall.

Stretching with another person is a great way to expand the depth and range of stretches you can perform. Though it may be tempting to do assisted stretches casually with friends, you should only do assisted stretches with a trained professional. Even when an instructor is assisting you, heed the guidelines for proper form and alert the teacher to adjust his or her resistance if you feel strained.