Why:
For improved flexibility through the entire side of the body. This technique was tough to place into one body area as it will stretch the lats, side of the torso, lower back, side of the hip and side of the leg. If you are a natural footed surfer, you will find that your left torso and your right leg needs a bit time in the stretch. If you are goofy footed, you will find that your right side torso and left side leg needs more time in the stretch. You can achieve this by sitting more into the torso or the legs;
For a natural footed surfer – when you stretch your left side torso (with your left arm up), try to sit more into the feeling of stretching the side of your torso rather than the side of your leg. When you stretch your right side torso (right arm up), try to sit more into the feeling of stretching the entire outside of your right leg rather than your torso.
For goofy footed surfer – when you stretch your right side torso (with your right arm up), try to sit more into the feeling of stretching the side of your torso rather than the side of your leg. When you stretch your left side torso (left arm up), try to sit more into the feeling of stretching the entire outside of your left leg rather than your torso.
How to do it:
- Stand next to a wall with your feet 1-2ft away from the wall.
- Use your hands to slowly bring your hips to the wall.
- Reach your arm closest to the wall up in the air and then bend gently away from the wall.
- You can increase the intensity of the stretch by connecting both arms for extra weight.
- Slowly rotate your upper back upward and downward to target your abdominals and your lower back/quadratus lumborum muscles respectively.
- Complete 3-4 repetitions of upward/downward movement per side.