About Stretch Therapy

Stretch therapy at Sydney Myotherapy follows the Posture and Flexibility system (pandf.com.au), which has been developed over 20 years from detailed study, experience and knowledge of:

Anatomy and the musculoskeletal system
Yoga (Iyengar and Satyananda schools)and Pilates
Dance and gymnastics training
Jikyo Jutsu & Makko Hoo (Japanese traditional exercise forms)
Many new forms and poses we designed, to stretch areas left untouched by other systems.

P&F is the most comprehensive method to achieve flexibility, and includes well over 100 stretches---at least one for every muscle of the body.

What is different about Stretching at Sydney Myotherapy ?

Unlike conventional stretching at Sydney Myotherapy has three 'elements' which make this approach different to any other method including pilates and yoga .

1) Core Fit Warm Up

2) Contract-Relax Stretch Method

3) Partner poses

1 Core Fit Warm up

It is very important to do a general warm up before stretching to raise the core body temperature . The corefit warmup is a circuit style of training and is the most effective way of combining cardio conditioning with functional strength training . The stations are composed of the 4 major movements the body naturally recognises . These movements are ; 1 Locomotive exercises ; 2 exercises that involve raising and lowering ones centre of mass ; 3 Pushing and Pulling exercises ; and 4 Rotational exercises .

This warm up becomes a training method in its own right which is not only versatile but safe , fun , efficient and effective . The diversity of the exercises allow participants to partake in various cardio related exercises that enhance motor skills and cardiovascular parameters , weight training exercises that build muscles and bones , calisthenics that improve flexibility and body awareness , and balance and stability exercises that enhance posture and body alignment .

2 The C-R approach

There are 3 steps to the C-R approach

(a) First the limb is taken into the stretch position

(b) Secondly the muscle being stretched is contracted

The C-R approach ensures that a deeper and longer-lasting stretch is attained, making P&F far more effective than simply stretching and holding a position.

3 Partner Poses

This has many advantages over solo stretching ;

In contraction phase, partner can provide the resistance so you can pay more attention to the sensations in thedesired muscle
You dont have to 'do the work' of holding a final (difficult) position allowing you to concentrate on form, relaxation of the muscles being stretched,and breathing
Support of partner often leads to holding the stretch longer
Feedback from partner acts as a 'second eye' to check form—class becomes self-correcting in time

Stretch Classes

Introductory / Beginners Class

Through years of running our practice we have learned the importance of finding the highest priority aspect of flexibility for each person we work with. Opening the hip region is nearly always the first and most important step in designing a stretching program. This is because movement required for most activities and sports begins with the hips.This region is often the deepest barrier of tightness that restricts flexibility and reduces efficiency of movement.

Therefore we recommend four core stretches as the basis of the approach to improving flexibility and movement. These stretches specifically target

1 hip flexor complex;

2 the gluteal region , including the six deep rotators ,

3 the quadratus Lumborum ( Side bending )

4 latissimus dorsi

In addition to the core four stretches the key upper body restrictions are targeted in classes which include :

1. Spinal rotation

2 Thoracic extension to reverse kyphosis (antiaging )

3 Anterior and posterior shoulder

4 Neck

Intermediate Class

Follows on from the core 4 approach but includes areas of the body not covered in introductory course . Restrictions in students individual muscles , chains of muscles and fascia are further explored using the huge variety of stretches for the lower and upper body to achieve greater muscular balance , body awareness and wellbeing .

For Bookings and enquiries please contact Sydney Myotherapy

core fit 1

corefit 2

corefit 5

corefit 6