Keep it cool

I cannot stress enough the importance of a really good cool down on a regular basis. The muscles need some time after working so hard to stretch back out and relax. We demand a lot of them and they need to be pampered . . . at least after a hard workout. If we don't take the time to let them pull back out, they will get cold right where they are - tight and clenched. And that's how knots and soreness happen. When you rub across a set of muscles, there should be no klunkiness. Muscles should always be smooth and work together. They should be seamless, you shouldn't be able to tell which muscles is banging against another. You shouldn't feel any ropes or bumps - and it shouldn't hurt. If you do, indulge in a cool down that involves deep stretching. Give your muscles a chance to release and you won't be so sore the next day. It doesn't even take that long. Ten, fifteen minutes can save you a lot of discomfort and keep you ready to move!