Rediscover your breathing

(From A Morning Cup of Stretching by Beth Pierpoint)
Breathing is an important part of stretching. Breathing provides oxygen. Oxygen is carried by the blood to the muscles to help get rid of the toxins that make you stiff and sore. Tight muscles are just that-tight. You stretch to help lengthen the tight muscles. If you hold your breath while you stretch, you cannot get the oxygen and the blood to the muscles to help get rid of those toxins. So, breathing and stretching go hand in hand. We've all been told when we're stressed to "stop and take a deep breath." There really is scientific evidence that the deep breath helps reduce muscle tension. -em