Stop Stretching Your Pain Out with Yogi Aaron

For decades, we have been conditioned to take stretching as a critical part of yoga. But what if stretching is the main culprit to our pain? Do you ever notice that even when we’ve stretched the pain out as we are often told, it always seems to come back. And stretching is often recommended as a way to relieve muscle and joint tension. However, it might not be doing your body the justice it needs. Stretching has been shown to increase the risk of injuries, specifically those involving the hip or lower back. Today we are debunking that myth and learning that all that stretching is actually hurting us! When we stretch, we are actually turning off that muscle, deactivating it and setting it up for vulnerability through a neuromuscular relaxation reflex.  Instead, using the principles of AYAMA (applied yoga anatomy and muscle activation) we will respect the muscles neurologic protective mechanism, create strength and stability, and eliminate chronic pain to live a pain free life!  In this episode of Fall in love with Fitness, Yogi Aaron shares with me how we can live pain-free purposeful lives and heal from our pain without stretching. He also expounds on how to use Ayama to promote better muscle function, more stability, and less pain. What You’ll Learn from this Episode: The evolution of yoga and how we got to stretching How to use Ayama to activate your muscles, get more stability and less pain What to consider when looking for a teacher to reduce yoga injuries How to cultivate the inner knowing and the direct experience of oneness And much more! “Stretching against your pain creates more stress and trauma in your body” – Yogi Aaron Topics Covered: 01:17 – About Aaron’s podcast, ‘Stop Stretching Podcast.’ 03:26 – When stretching became a vital component of health and fitness 06:27 – People’s response to “no more stretching in fitness.” 09:17 –   How to live pain-free so that we can live our purpose 12:39 – Ayama technique and how you can use it to activate your muscles 14:27 – The language of the body and how to effectively listen to it 16:08 – Aaron’s advice on what to look for in a yoga teacher 19:20 –  The dark side of yoga 23:40 – Don’t hold expectations; you’re responsible for your transformation 25:54 – How to be the change and help others shift their philosophy 28:12 – The addiction to stretching and how it hurts people 29:56 – Aaron's advice to anyone in a career that requires flexibility 33:13 – Aaron’s final words of inspiration 34:14 – How to reach out and connect with Aaron Key Takeaways When we stretch our pain out, it will always come back. The greatest loss in humanity is a person who doesn’t know their purpose. Stretching against your pain creates more stress and trauma in your body. It’s not a yoga teacher's job to fill expectations for students; their role is to guide them in yoga. A real range of motion is when you’ve both movement and stability in a joint. Join me November 25 - December 2, 2023, for the most transformative week of your life at the breathtaking Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, where you will experience the most liberating Exclusive Transformational Wellness Workshop and Retreat on the planet. To win a $500 Voucher, Subscribe & Leave a Review and email a screenshot of your review to [email protected], so I know who you are! Together, we will learn and implement sustainable daily habits that are guaranteed to transform your mind, health, and body forever so that you never have to diet again. Keep it up, Athletes! Sherry