How to get on twine in a month after a 6 year hiatus? Personal experience

Stretching coach, owner of Stretch-TOP studio

“My story began with my love for rhythmic gymnastics. As a child, I could easily do various exercises. On my way to coaching I got acquainted with choreography, which brought me back to my childhood dream. I think and believe that dreams are bound to come true – all it takes is effort and a pinch of luck. However, at some point I had to take a long break from training, and the twine stopped working. My story proves that even after a long time without training, you can get back into the twine. And it takes a month.

How I got acquainted with stretching and what happened afterwards

Even as a child, I wanted to do gymnastics. My neighbor was training girls for the Olympic reserve and said she would take me. But my parents prevented me: at that time I had a leg injury. So my dream of becoming a professional athlete failed.

Many years later, a friend invited me to take part in a dance project. I accepted without hesitation. The coach of the school where I was practicing, led gymnastics in the classical style – as it was conducted in Soviet times. She taught me how to sit on the twine.

Over time, I gave up dancing and sports in general. Accordingly, my muscles stopped stretching. For six years I did only amateur sports – functional training and running. And then I wanted to return to stretching again, but I couldn’t get into twine straight away.

The beginning of classes

How I learned to do the twine all over again

It was hard to master it again after a long break, when muscles don’t stretch. But the pain is pleasant if you understand how to work the muscles. Within a month, when practicing two or three times a week, I got back on the twine. It was hard to overcome myself, but I did it. Inspired by my success, I even got a trainer’s certificate.

How to stretch properly so you don’t get injured:

• the principle of stretching is in the back, the basis of the exercises is the spine, stretching is important to perform on exhalation, using the inventory: rubber bands, blocks;
• if a person has good flexibility of one joint or muscle group, it does not mean that all of them are like that – the instructor considers the plasticity of joints and muscles both in complex and separately;
• flexibility should be developed gradually, without sudden movements;
• it is not recommended to skip training. There will be a long break – you will have to restore the work again. Untrained muscles (hard and stiff) lead to poor blood circulation. Excellent blood circulation is the key to getting proper oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, which in turn can increase energy, tone and self-confidence;
• with classes three times a week for 60 minutes and high plasticity to sit on the twine can be a couple of months;
• stick to the scheme “right leg – forward, left leg – back”, in all other positions it is easy to get injured.

What did stretching classes give me?

As soon as I resumed stretching, I got rid of the pain in my leg. Of course, the therapies played a role too, but stretching strengthened my muscles and gave me a “confident” knee joint. It’s important for the skeleton to be held together by strong muscles. This gentle stretching feels like a fixation of the joint.

Autotraining also helped me to cope with unpleasant sensations. I mentally told myself that it was not pain and that I could get rid of it. Now there are even moments when I need to do stretching and sit on twine – I have developed an addiction to sports. My hips feel free after exercise.

When I was running, not stretching, I felt some stiffness in my muscles. But when you do stretching regularly, you feel freedom, relief and relaxation at the same time. There is soreness, but you just need to breathe through it properly. I always say the phrase: “Breathing is your best friend”.

Stretching has brought freedom and the ability to take care of my body. On top of that, it has added self-confidence, introduced me to a lot of interesting and motivated people, made me an instructor, and led to my third degree in clinical psychology. Owning our own body, we discover new ways of development and are sometimes surprised by our own capabilities. Our achievements are always with us, just take the first step and everything will work out!

Pros of stretching

• Develops plasticity and beautiful movements.
• Forms a correct gait – smooth, without tension.
• Allows you to better feel the body: as soon as I feel that I’m sitting – immediately stretching (blood rushes to the organs and muscles, restoring vigor and vigor).
• It improves my mood, helps with depressive states.

Now I have set a new goal. I am going to the next achievement – handstand. The muscles are still weak, but everything is ahead of me. I think I won’t have any more long breaks in sports.