By Hayley Verwey (ex-staff member, now at University)

1. Breathe through your stretches. Breathing while you stretch is so important as it ensures oxygen is getting to all your muscles – when you go into a stretch breathe out all the way to enable a deeper stretch.
2. Incorporate dynamic stretches. These are stretches with movement which loosen up the muscles and thoroughly stretches them out.
3. Hold each stretch for a minimum of 30 seconds. This enables muscle fibres to be stretched out adequately and give maximum results.
4. Stretch every day. Find the time to do this every day even if it is just for 5 minutes – this will improve body elasticity and increase flexibility.
5. Stretch with music. This is will help motivate you and it will be easier to stretch to the rhythm of the song.