Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I almost didn't buy this book because some of the reviews are so negative...but I'm glad I did anyway. A few points:
1. This method absolutely works...I say this after studying karate for 4 years (hundreds of kicks, stretching that included pouring water on the floor and having someone push down on your back, staying in stretched positions for up to an hour, etc..) yoga, stretch machines, standard stretch routines. Through all this, my stretch increased very little. I couldn't even sit on the floor with crossed legs without discomfort. My karate instructor used to say I had the flexibility of a rock. Pavel's method works. Get the book! The concepts are simple, but revolutionary. A few more points:
2. There is enough information and stretching routines in the book to last for years. I don't understand the reviews that say there is not enough info in the book, too many pictures, etc...I appreciated the fact that I could quickly go throught the book and get right into the stretching.
3. There is another reviewer who outlines all of the potentially harmful stretches, based on his assessment as a doctor. However, all of the stretches he talks about are in the advanced stretching section of the book; they are extreme exercises, that Pavel clearly states are not for beginners.
4. Appearances can be deceiving...for example I was experiencing slight lower back pain from one routine and then I went back and read how to do the exercise, and realized I was overstretching, not controlling my breathing and tension as described in the book. In spite of the clear, "simple" format of the book, it is rich in information, that must be read carefully.
5. One last point: this book is for those who need to get to the next level. (I can't believe someone recommended Anderson's "granny" stretch book over this one; give me a break) Whether to reach top levels of fitness, martial arts study, rock climbing, etc...I'm thinking of someone who is into total fitness.)
On the other hand, it's also worth reading for the weekend athlete, only because the knowledge can help one prevent injuries and avoid harmful stretching methods.
Disclaimer: this is not a cheerleader review for Pavel. I have no connection with him whatsoever, just a very appreciative reader. Get the book!
Click Here to see more reviews about: Relax into Stretch : Instant Flexibility Through Mastering Muscle Tension
"Conventional stretching attempts to literally elongate your tissues, which is dangerous and ineffective. Relax into Stretch simply teaches your muscles to relax into a stretch.If you compare traditional training to a messy hardware reorganization, then Relax into Stretch is an efficient software upgrade.While stretching tissues may take years, changes in the nervous system are immediate! Your muscles will start noticeably elongating from your first Relax into Stretch practice-and within months you will have achieved a level of flexibility uncommon in our species."-Pavel Tsatsouline. Own an illustrated guide to the thirty-six most effective techniques for super-flexibility. How the secret of mastering your emotions can add immediate inches to your stretch.How to wait out your tension-the surprising key to greater mobility and a better stretch. How to fool your reflexes into giving you all the stretch you want. Why contract-relax stretching is 267% more effective than conventional relaxed stretching. How to breathe your way to greater flexibility. Using the Russian technique of Forced Relaxation as your ultimate stretching weapon. How to stretch when injured-faster, safer ways to heal. Young, old, male, female-learn what stretches are best for you and what stretches to avoid. Why excessive flexibility can be detrimental to athletic performance-and how to determine your real flexibility needs.Plateau-busting strategies for the chronically inflexible
