Stretching Diagram

click image to enlarge

Here's a helpful little chart of some very valuable exercises. I've been doing the Ryutai Undo, solo and with partners, for about seven years - you'd think I could put my feet behind my head by now, but like anything else you get a bit rusty when you take a week off. I usually try to do these daily, particularly when my workload is heavy (as it has been this last month!) - a healthy spine and hips are literally the foundation of my life.

Making this chart was an interesting exercise. I learned a lot more about drawing with vector, but also carefully considered my reasons for recording the Ryutai Undo in visual form. In the past I've been rather protective of this practice, and my asking someone to stretch with me is still a sign of great affection. Now the trend reverses - these exercises are so simple and so healthy that I want to share them! Ask me to stretch sometime, let's all have healthy hips.