Relax Into Stretch - Instant Flexibility Through Mastering Muscle Tension

Okay the premise is silly - comrade? But I really enjoyed the stretching. You need a chair, possibly a bookshelf (I just did it without), and for one, you do need overhead bars - I just skipped that one. All the rest, and there are a lot!, don't need anything. I definitely feel like there is blood going after this and it is interesting enough that the time flew by and I was surprised when it was over. Usually I'm bored, this isn't boring.

I've read a couple of Pavel Psatsouline's books, and I've been really impressed with his methods and techniques. I bought this DVD, Relax Into the Stretch so I could follow along with Pavel as he offers the instructions for stretching, and after doing this video (along with my husband) for about a month now, I must say we both feel more flexible. Because of my FMS and Arthritis, I have taken this very slowly, and don't do more than my body is capable.My goals were different than my husband's -- he was just along for support, but I have arthritis and fibromyalgia, and try to do things to keep my body as limber as possible, and I look for things I can do that will aid my joints and possible reduce the chronic pain I feel every day. Relax Into the Stretch has provided me with added flexibility as well as some relief from the muscle pain I feel. It's gotten better from the first week till now, and I'm hopeful that trend will continue. I see my husband improving by leaps and bounds, but he has no physical impairments and is in good physical condition. He says he feels so much better -- more limber, flexible, stronger, and just all around fewer periods of sleepiness during the day. And although he snores, I think he's sleeping better at the end of the day. He falls asleep within 10 minutes of getting in bed, ready to sleep, and doesn't wake up until 6:30 A.M. -- which is his time to get up. I haven't experienced the sleep benefits yet, but I have been able to fall asleep a bit earlier, and if I also take Melatonin, I stay asleep a bit longer. Although by the time I get into bed at might I'm achy all over, and when I wake up, I'm still unrefreshed most of the time. That is an improvement over the insomnia I've had for years, and the unrelenting fatigue I normally felt before beginning this program.In addition to Relax into the Stretch, I had already been doing some walking, and doing yoga. I've also begun to use Ayurvedic medicine through the use of adaptogen. In order for something to qualify as an adaptogen, they have to be tonifying for your whole body, and have to be non-toxic. Of course each one will effect people differently, for example Schizandra has been a true lifesaver for me as far as helping with the chronic and unrelenting fatigue, while others haven't been as helpful. I only mention this because it's my hope that in writing this I might reach others suffering from CFS, FMS, or some other illness that has completely knocked you out of the game!I definitely recommend Pavel Psatsouline's books and DVD's, especially this one, Relax into the Stretch, for anyone seeking to be stronger and more flexible!

Really helpful and great for stretching. I don't know if you're like me but I am muscular and extremely tight when it comes to my muscles I have to stretch daily to be able to touch my toes. this is very helpful in getting me into stretching and understanding it especially focused on people who are extremely tight like me. I have lots of tightness in my calves a lot in my hamstrings which go up into my back and into my shoulders all the exercises here helps relieve tension stress pain and tightness.

I was looking forward to this exercise routine. The method that Pavel uses seem like they would work. The only problem I had was that I do these exercises in my home office and from what I saw of the exercises, you need more "props" than I have at home. This would probably work best if you belonged to a gym.

A little clunky and dated visually, but the stretches are quite good. Essentially use of PNF stretching to achieve results. I reccommend using it alternately with LASTICS, and any Rodney Yee dvd.

Fair. The "Russian tough guy" approach didn't do much for me

I thought at my age I just had to accept I couldn't touch my toes anymore. His contraction and relaxtion technique has done wonders for my flexibility. Highly recommend

This was pretty helpful for some of the muscle tension I had in my shoulders. It’s a little intense in the presentation (I.e., calling me comrade and telling me what I MUST do), but other than that it works so... I would do it again.