http://www.yowzafitness.com/ 33STRETCHING ROUTINEWarm up and cool down:A successful exercise program consists of a warm-up, aerobic exercise, and a cool-down. Do the entire program at least two andpreferably three times a week, resting for a day between workouts. After several months, you can increase your workouts to four orfive times per week.Warming up is an important part of your workout, and should begin every session. It prepares your body for more strenuousexercise by heating up and stretching out your muscles, increasing your circulation and pulse rate, and delivering more oxygen toyour muscles. At the end of your workout, repeat these exercises to reduce sore muscle problems. We suggest the warm-up andcool-down exercises on the following pages:Toe Touch:Slowly bend forward fromyour waist, letting your backand shoulders relax as youstretch toward your toes.Reach down as far as youcan and hold for 15 counts.Shoulder Lift:Lift your right shoulder uptoward your ear for onecount. Then lift your leftshoulder up for one count asyou lower your rightshoulder.Inner Thigh Stretch:Sit with the soles of your feettogether with your kneespointing outward. Pull yourfeet as close into your groinas possible. Gently pushyour knees towards the floor.Hold for 15 counts.Hamstring Stretch:Sit with your right legextended. Rest the sole ofyour left foot against yourright inner thigh. Stretchtoward your toe as far aspossible. Hold for 15 counts.Relax and then repeat withleft leg extended.Side Stretch:Open your arms to the sideand continue lifting them untilthey are over your head.Reach your right arm as farupward toward the ceiling asyou can for one count. Feelthe stretch up your right side.Repeat this action with yourleft arm.Calf-Achilles Stretch:Lean against a wall with yourleft leg in front of the rightand your arms forward. Keepyour right leg straight and theleft foot on the floor; thenbend the left leg and leanforward by moving your hipstoward the wall. Hold, andthen repeat on the other sidefor 15 counts.Head Roll:Rotate your head to the rightfor one count, feeling thestretch up the left side of yourneck. Next, rotate your headback for one count, stretchingyour chin to the ceiling andletting your mouth open.Rotate your head to the leftfor one count, and finally,drop your head to your chestfor one count.