Tag Archives: Straddle stretch

Day 21 – Prasarita Padattonasana

This classic straddle stretch is called Prasarita Padattonasana. There are a lot of variations choose the one that allows you to stay in this stretch for about 2 minutes. You can start with the hands on the floor, grab your ankles, and eventually walk your hands through your legs. You can also add some resistance to this by taking a light weight behind your back. I’m using a training bar, but I recommend starting light by sliding a small weight over a pvc pipe. My favorite variation is to wrap a band around a post and grab it between your legs and lean forward. This mimics a stall bar stretch. Try to keep your feet pointing straight ahead and keep your legs straight. Breathe slowly and deeply and try not to tense up your neck and shoulders.

Prasarita Padattonasana from Force Distance Time on Vimeo.

Here are the rules for the 30-Day Stretch Fucking Harder Challenge. Each day do the deep stretch, post it on Instagram and tag some friends to do it with you. Post your stretch with the tags: #stretchfuckingharder #supplepandas #30daypandachallenge Tag me @coachpanda. Come back here to my website or vimeo channel to see more details on each stretch and modifications and scaling options. Try to stay in each stretch for at least 2 minutes per stretch per side. Remember to breathe slowly and deeply and start gradually and move deeper over time. Back off if it hurts.

Day 6 – The Straddle Stretch

The straddle stretch is a classic move done by yogis, dancers, gymnasts and just about everyone.  There are lots of ways to do this stretch.  I prefer to use a band around my lower back attached to my feet.  The band helps give me a little more anterior pelvic tilt.  You will see in the first half of this video I modify the stretch by sitting up on some bumper plates. You must elevate your butt off the ground if you are really tight and cannot sit up straight.  If you don’t elevate your butt, you will merely be slouching instead of stretching which is pointless.  I like to use a little weight to help deepen the stretch.

Weighted Straddle Stretch. Day 6 of 30 from Force Distance Time on Vimeo.

Here are the rules for the 30-Day Stretch Fucking Harder Challenge.  Each day do the deep stretch, post it on Instagram and tag some friends to do it with you. Post your stretch with the tags: #stretchfuckingharder #supplepandas #30daypandachallenge  Tag me @coachpanda.  Come back here to my website or vimeo channel to see more details on each stretch and modifications and scaling options.   Try to stay in each stretch for at least 2 minutes per stretch per side. Remember to breathe slowly and deeply and start gradually and move deeper over time.  Back off if it hurts.