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Anastasiia Kharcheva Klurman

Flexibility is a fundamental physical characteristic of a person. Flexibility is one of those qualities that the human body loses in the first place, and usually we do not even notice how quickly we lose the range of motion. In addition, the muscle pain that people experience, especially those who do not regularly engage in physical activity, is most often caused by the imbalance that gradually arises in the muscles. Often this imbalance can be corrected with a properly selected stretching program, exercises that can be performed only for a few minutes a day, and not only at home, but almost anywhere.

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Flexibility is a fundamental physical characteristic of a person. Flexibility is one of those qualities that the human body loses in the first place, and usually we do not even notice how quickly we lose the range of motion. In addition, the muscle pain that people experience, especially those who do not regularly engage in physical activity, is most often caused by the imbalance that gradually arises in the muscles. Often this imbalance can be corrected with a properly selected stretching program, exercises that can be performed only for a few minutes a day, and not only at home, but almost anywhere.

The course consists of 12 one-hour lessons. Each lesson will deal with a different body part.

Lesson structure:

1. Warm up

2. Main part (static and dynamic stretching)

3. Muscle strengthening

4. Rest

This course will introduce you to the basics of flexibility training.

You will learn:

1. How to warm up properly before exercise

2. How to stretch

3. How long to hold the position

4. How many reps to do

This course will be useful for those who:

1. Are worried about their health

2. Wants to improve their physical performance.

Purpose of this course:

To become a full-fledged guide in the development of flexibility

Whatever your purpose, we hope that the suggested information will help you to improve your fitness and health

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Warm up exercises to do before each workout
  • Exercises to increase flexibility and motion
  • Core and back exercises
  • Exercises that will prepare you to eventually sit in a full split and bridge position
  • Stretch exercises that you can include in your daily routine

Syllabus

Beginners Stretching

In the first video we will start working on improving our whole bodies flexibility. The lesson will be one hour long. For this lesson, you need a yoga mat or you can practice on a regular carpet, yoga blocks or  you can use another alternative. We will also need a strap or any other extension and knee pads or something soft that you can put under your knees to make it more comfortable for you.

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In the second lesson, you will learn how you can stretch the muscles of the neck, arms and back, and at the end we will strengthen the abdominal muscles. The lesson will be 1 hour and 9 minutes long. In this lesson we need the same equipment as in the previous one.

The third lesson will focus on stretching the shoulders, arms, wrists, hamstrings, calves and Achilles tendons. The lesson is one hour long and we will use the same equipment as before.

In this lesson, I'll show you how to stretch the feet and the exercises to open the hip joint so that in the future you can sit on a middle split. The lesson is one hour long. We will use a rope, if you do not have a rope or unable to jump, you can replace jump rope simply by running in one place.

In lesson 5, we will work on the thigh muscles and hamstrings. We will strengthen the abs and glutes. The lesson is one hour long.

In the sixth lesson we will work on increasing the motion in the spine. Pay attention to stretching the back and glutes. We will also strengthen the glutes. The lesson lasts 50 minutes. We will be using a jump rope

In lesson 7 we will be working on improving the flexibility of the whole body and throughout this lesson we will be using the bar. Instead of a bar, you can use a counter top, a table or the back of a chair. The main thing is that it is stable so that you can hold on to it. The lesson lasts 50 minutes.

In the eighth lesson, we will work on the muscles of the whole body. The entire lesson we will be working along the wall. The lesson is 55 minutes long.

The ninth lesson will focus on stretching the sides. In this lesson we need a jump rope and the lesson will last 50 minutes.

In the tenth lesson, you will learn even more exercises that will help improve your middle split. The lesson lasts 55 minutes.

In the eleventh lesson we will improve the flexibility of the whole body and we will need to remember all the exercises that we did during the first part of this course. The lesson will begin with a warm-up with the rope. The lesson will last one hour.

In the twelfth lesson we will improve the flexibility of the whole body and we will need to remember all the exercises that we did during the second part of this course. The lesson will last one hour and ten minutes.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers a structured approach to flexibility training, which can be beneficial for individuals looking to improve their overall physical well-being and reduce muscle imbalances
Provides a comprehensive introduction to stretching, including warm-up techniques, proper stretching form, duration, and repetition guidance, which is ideal for beginners
Presents a structured, lesson-based approach to stretching different body parts, which can be helpful for those who prefer guided instruction
Recommends readily available alternatives for equipment, such as using books instead of yoga blocks, which makes the course accessible to a wider audience
Includes exercises designed to prepare learners for advanced poses like full splits and bridges, which may appeal to those with specific flexibility goals
Requires equipment such as yoga mats, blocks, straps, and knee pads, which may not be readily available to all learners and may require additional purchases

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Reviews summary

Beginner's guide to flexibility and stretching

According to learners, this course is an excellent starting point for improving flexibility, especially for beginners. Students find the instructor's guidance clear and easy to follow, and many report noticeable improvements in flexibility and range of motion, including reduced pain. The course structure is logical and covers different body parts thoroughly. Some students noted the lessons are quite long, which can make fitting them into a daily routine challenging. It is considered most suitable for absolute beginners and may be too slow-paced or repetitive for those with existing flexibility. Note that it requires some specific equipment.
Some specific equipment is needed to complete the lessons.
"Equipment listed is helpful."
"Requires more equipment than I initially expected."
The instructor's explanations are easy to understand and follow.
"...the instructions very clear. The instructor is encouraging and easy to follow."
"The instructor explains everything clearly and demonstrates the exercises properly."
"The instructor's guidance is spot on."
Many students report noticeable gains in flexibility.
"I feel so much more flexible after just a few weeks."
"I've seen a noticeable improvement in my flexibility and reduced back pain."
"The instructor is knowledgeable. I found the exercises effective for increasing flexibility."
"My range of motion has improved significantly."
Highly recommended for those starting flexibility training.
"This course is absolutely wonderful! As a complete beginner, I found the pace perfect and the instructions very clear."
"A solid foundation for stretching... Good for beginners."
"Excellent course!... It's challenging but manageable, especially for beginners."
"Fantastic course for beginners! The structure is logical, building up gradually."
"Overall a good course for introducing stretching... Useful for getting started."
Individual lessons are lengthy, making daily practice difficult.
"It's a bit long for a daily routine, but great for dedicated sessions."
"Some lessons are quite long, making it hard to fit into a busy schedule every day."
May be too basic or slow-paced for non-beginners.
"It's definitely for absolute beginners; those with some flexibility might find it too basic."
"The course might be too slow-paced or repetitive if I already have decent flexibility."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Life of Stretching: The Start To Stretching with these activities:
Review Basic Anatomy
Reviewing basic anatomy will help you understand which muscles are being targeted during each stretch and why proper form is important.
Browse courses on Anatomy
Show steps
  • Review anatomical diagrams of major muscle groups.
  • Identify the muscles used in common stretches.
Read 'Stretching' by Bob Anderson
Reading this book will provide a solid foundation in stretching principles and techniques, complementing the course lessons.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Stretching' by Bob Anderson.
  • Read the introductory chapters on stretching principles.
  • Review the stretches relevant to each lesson's focus.
Daily Stretching Routine
Performing a short daily stretching routine will reinforce the techniques learned in the course and improve overall flexibility.
Show steps
  • Choose 3-5 stretches from the course lessons.
  • Perform each stretch for 30 seconds, focusing on proper form.
  • Repeat the routine daily.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Stretching Log
Tracking your stretching progress will help you stay motivated and identify areas where you need to focus your efforts.
Show steps
  • Create a spreadsheet or journal to record your stretches.
  • Note the date, stretches performed, and duration.
  • Track your progress over time.
Explore 'Yoga Anatomy' by Leslie Kaminoff
Understanding the anatomy behind stretching can help you perform exercises more effectively and avoid injuries.
View Yoga Anatomy on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Yoga Anatomy' by Leslie Kaminoff.
  • Review the sections on relevant muscle groups and joints.
  • Relate the anatomical information to the stretches learned in the course.
Design a Personalized Stretching Program
Creating your own stretching program will allow you to apply the knowledge gained in the course to your specific needs and goals.
Show steps
  • Assess your current flexibility and identify areas for improvement.
  • Select stretches from the course that target those areas.
  • Create a weekly schedule for your stretching program.
  • Track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Teach Stretching to a Friend or Family Member
Teaching others is a great way to solidify your own understanding of stretching principles and techniques.
Show steps
  • Choose a friend or family member who is interested in learning about stretching.
  • Explain the basic principles of stretching and demonstrate proper form.
  • Guide them through a stretching routine, providing feedback and encouragement.

Career center

Learners who complete Life of Stretching: The Start To Stretching will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Yoga Instructor
A yoga instructor guides students through various poses and breathing techniques, helping them improve flexibility, balance, and overall well-being. This course helps build a foundation in understanding how to properly warm up, stretch different body parts, and hold positions, which are crucial skills for any yoga instructor. The course's focus on static and dynamic stretching, as well as muscle strengthening, aligns perfectly with the principles of yoga. The course provides a strong base for designing effective and safe yoga routines, and the focus on different body parts in each lesson translates well to various yoga flows.
Personal Trainer
A personal trainer creates customized workout plans for clients, considering their individual fitness goals and needs. This course provides a useful base for personal trainers who wish to include flexibility training. The focus on warm up routines, stretching techniques, hold times and repetitions is a necessary component of most fitness plans. The course's lessons on stretching different body parts adds to the comprehensiveness of a personal trainer's skill set. This course can help a personal trainer create more well-rounded fitness plans for their clients.
Fitness Consultant
A fitness consultant advises clients on various aspects of fitness, including workout routines, nutrition, and overall well-being. This course provides important foundational knowledge for a fitness consultant, particularly in the area of flexibility and stretching. This course's teachings, including warm-up exercises, stretching techniques, hold times and repetitions, are necessary for any well-rounded fitness plan. The course's systematic approach to different body parts will give an aspiring fitness consultant additional confidence when working with clients.
Pilates Instructor
A Pilates instructor leads individuals or groups through exercises that target core strength, flexibility, and body awareness. This course may be useful for an aspiring Pilates instructor, as it emphasizes the importance of flexibility and introduces various stretching techniques. The course content, with its specific focus on warm-ups, different stretches, holding positions and reps, is highly relevant. This course's emphasis on muscle strengthening adds to its value for Pilates, where both strength and flexibility are central.
Athletic Trainer
An athletic trainer works with athletes to prevent injuries, provide rehabilitation, and improve performance. This course provides useful information on flexibility training, including warm-up exercises, stretching techniques, and muscle strengthening. Athletic trainers can use this knowledge to design effective stretching programs for athletes to both prevent injury and enhance performance. The course’s focus on different body parts will help an athletic trainer develop well-rounded training programs.
Movement Coach
A movement coach helps individuals improve their movement patterns, often focusing on flexibility, coordination, and body awareness. The emphasis of this course on warm-ups, static and dynamic stretching, muscle strengthening, and proper form is directly applicable to a movement coach's work. The fact that this course specifically addresses different body parts adds to its value for someone working to optimize movement. Individuals looking to become movement coaches may find that this is a useful course to take.
Dance Instructor
A dance instructor teaches various dance styles and techniques, often emphasizing flexibility, coordination, and body awareness. This course may be useful because it covers various stretching techniques, warm-up exercises, and muscle strengthening that are beneficial for dancers. Dance instructors can use this knowledge to help their students improve their flexibility and range of motion. The course can help dance teachers design warm-up routines and stretching exercises for their students, and the specific focus on body parts is directly applicable to the needs of dancers.
Massage Therapist
A massage therapist uses touch to manipulate the body's soft tissues, helping to relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. Massage therapy can be enhanced by an understanding of how to properly stretch and strengthen muscles, which is addressed by this course. The knowledge gained from this course regarding warm-ups and stretching techniques can help a massage therapist to prepare the body for massage, and to provide advice to clients after a massage, while the focus on various body parts has a direct practical application.
Rehabilitation Specialist
A rehabilitation specialist designs and implements treatment plans to help individuals recover from injuries or illnesses. This course is useful for a rehabilitation specialist because it provides a good base in stretching techniques, which are important for recovery. This course's specific lessons on warm ups, static and dynamic stretching, hold times and repetitions are highly relevant. The course's detailed approach, with different body parts being addressed, makes it a useful addition to a rehabilitation specialist's skill set.
Sports Coach
A sports coach trains athletes in a particular sport, often covering areas like conditioning, technique, and strategy. This course can provide a useful knowledge base for sports coaches, especially regarding flexibility. Coaches will appreciate its systematic approach to warm ups, stretches, reps and hold time, as well as its focus on different body parts. The course can help a sports coach provide a more complete and well-rounded training plan for their athletes, incorporating proper warm-up and stretching routines.
Dance Therapist
A dance therapist uses movement to help people improve their emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. This course may be helpful because it covers important topics such as proper warm-up, stretching techniques, exercises to improve flexibility and motion, which are all important parts of dance. Dance therapists can use this knowledge while assessing and treating patients. Lessons for different body parts will give the dance therapist practical skills.
Wellness Consultant
A wellness consultant advises individuals or organizations on how to improve overall well-being, not only by exercise, but also nutrition, mental health, and lifestyle. This course provides a base in flexibility and stretching, which are important components of wellness. The structured approach of this course, with warm-ups, specific stretching techniques, and muscle strengthening, is applicable to a wellness consultant's work. This course's lessons on addressing different body parts will help round out a consultant's knowledge base.
Physical Therapy Assistant
A physical therapy assistant works under the direction of a physical therapist to help patients recover from injuries and improve their mobility. This course may help Physical Therapy Assistants by giving them a better understanding of proper stretching techniques. This course's focus on warm-ups, stretching exercises, hold times, and reps is directly relevant to the kind of work that PT assistants do with patients on a daily basis. The emphasis on different body parts is very relevant to their patients' needs.
Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist helps people improve their ability to perform daily tasks and activities, often by focusing on physical or cognitive function. This course may be helpful for an occupational therapist as it provides specific information on stretching and muscle strengthening, and this knowledge can be applied when designing and implementing treatment plans. The course can give an occupational therapist a better understanding of body mechanics and flexibility, which are essential for many daily activities. The lessons that focus on different body parts will be useful for different rehabilitation goals.
Ergonomist
An ergonomist studies how people interact with their work environment to optimize safety and comfort. This course may be helpful for an ergonomist, as it deals with flexibility and body mechanics. Knowing how to stretch correctly and strengthen muscles will give an ergonomist a good foundation when providing advice on posture and injury prevention. The practical application of the course by working different body parts will provide a detailed understanding of the human musculoskeletal system.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Life of Stretching: The Start To Stretching.
Comprehensive guide to stretching techniques. It provides detailed illustrations and instructions for a wide variety of stretches, making it an excellent resource for understanding proper form and targeting specific muscle groups. It is commonly used as a reference by athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Provides a detailed anatomical perspective on yoga postures, which can be helpful for understanding the biomechanics of stretching. While not strictly focused on stretching alone, it offers valuable insights into how different poses affect the body. It useful reference for those seeking a deeper understanding of the anatomical principles behind flexibility training.

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