Maxine Tobias

I liked this book right off, even before seriously reading it. In the first chapter it says that men and women are different. I liked that. But the reason I liked it is because it explained why. It said that testosterone builds muscle strength, resulting in decreased flexibility. It then goes into details how how this affects various joints.

I was about to give it away after having had it for 3 years and not using it. However, as I was thinning my to-read list, I got intrigued, pulled it out of the give-away box, and am again impressed with it. I especially like the explanations of how to do the stretches and why. It also includes how to do them if you have less flexibility. The flexibility of women amazes me. Guys are a lot less flexible.

As an example of some of the clarity in this book: "Twisting laterally from side to side, is a movement alien to most of us. Yet it can relieve backache, and by relaxing the muscles and boosting blood supply to the discs and nerves it keeps the spine healthy too. To twist safely start in the pelvis ..." (Page 50)

It is based on hatha yoga. "Complete Stretching is based on the ancient tradition of hatha yoga, which links movement, breath, and relaxation." (Page 6) "The foundation of the program is based on hatha yoga, proven over 3,500 years to be remarkably efficacious in promoting well being." (Page 78) "This stretch program, based on hatha yoga, brings the mind and body together, enhancing concentration, and increasing flexibility and stamina with effective breathing. Stretching is most beneficial when performed slowly and precisely, the mind focused on the body and each breath." (Page 106) But they are not dogmatic about that particular style of yoga: "If you have a spinal distortion, work with an Iyengar yoga teacher, or consult an osteopath or chiropractor." (Page 50)

The one thing I would change would be to include the names of the yoga poses. This is easy for me to say, and hard for them to do since various authors don't agree on what to call them. Therefore, this might not be a reasonable quibble.

I found this book in a used book store in the small town of Willcox, AZ, summer 2010. As of November 24, 2013, there are lots of "new" and used copies available on Amazon. An older and popular book is [b:Stretching|561546|Stretching|Bob Anderson|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1347279644s/561546.jpg|548696].… (meer)