Is Stretching Bad?

There’s a whole population of teachers (mostly in the mobility world) that will try to convince you that passive stretching is bad.

I think this is an under-educated viewpoint which supports the patriarchal philosophies that strive to keep us in our unbalanced sympathetic nervous system state; anxious, stressed, and unregulated.

Sure passive stretching can be bad if you only do passive stretching as your full movement routine, adn go all the way into your end range without properly preparing the body. This can certainly lead to injuries, and can even weaken the muscles over time.

But as a complement to other more active forms of movement like vinyasa, lifting, or walking, passive stretching can have many benefits for the body, nervous system, and mind.

What’s next — trying to keep muscles engaged while we sleep? While we eat? We need to learn to soften just as much as we need to learn to activate. Most of us are seeking balance, not how to become the next David Goggins.

Especially in the evening; if you’re stressed, passive stretching, yin yoga, or restorative yoga will help you feel like a more balanced version of yourself. It will help your feelings move through your body rather than getting them even more stuck into your body.

So let it go. Exhale. Soften. Relax. You deserve it.