Relaxation, flexibility gained through Semper Stretch

Photo By Cpl. Jackeline Perez Rivera | Students of Semper Stretch perform various stretches combined from yoga, pilates and traditional stretching, during a class at the Tarawa Terrace Community Center, Nov. 5. The class takes place every Monday and Wednesday at 8 a.m. and provides a relaxing environment for students to focus on flexibility.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

11.14.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Jackeline Perez Rivera  

Marine Corps Installations East       

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Students of Semper Stretch, a group exercise class at the Tarawa Terrace Fitness Center, begin Monday and Wednesday mornings with soothing sounds, in a quiet dimly lit room where they prepare their bodies for the day with gentle, deep stretches.

Semper Stretch combines concepts from yoga, pilates and traditional stretching to provide a full-body stretch.

“Rather than pots of coffee (students) wake their bodies with physical activity,” said Christina Hardy, a group exercise instructor with Semper Fit. “After the class, the students feel energetic, like their bodies have woken up. At the end of the class, it’s only 9 a.m. so they still have the rest of the day.”

Stretching is a part of most exercise plans, however taking the time to focus solely on stretching is beneficial to patrons at all fitness levels, said Hardy. While some yoga classes focus on building strength while stretching, Semper Stretch is solely about deep stretches and relaxation.

“It gives everybody a chance to actually feel their muscles expanding,” said Hardy. “We do so much toning and so much with weights. We are always contracting our muscles, and we never get a chance to release them.”

Injury prevention is another purpose of the class, said Hardy. Students of all fitness levels benefit from increased flexibility.
“You’re performing moves that are helpful and still easy and relaxing,” said Susan Woodruff, a Navy retiree and student of the class. “(Semper Stretch) helps with balance, flexibility and it helps prevent injuries.”

Increasing one’s flexibility changes how a person understands how their body works, she added. The flexibility and balance gained from stretching helps in other aspects such as strength training.
“As soon as (participants) experience how their body feels after the class, they are hooked,” said Hardy.

Smooth transitions are important in the class, and add to the element of relaxation. The instructor leads the class from stretches on the floor to stretches that bring them to a stand or vice versa.
“We never have to change positions too quickly,” said Hardy. “We have a very gentle flow from one (movement) to the next, so we can continue to relax throughout the class.”

Students begin at all ability levels, and over time their stretches deepen further and their flexibility increases.

“You are going to see improvements, not just in the class but throughout all of your other physical activities,” said Hardy.
For more information, call the group exercise coordinator at 451-0824.

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• Date Taken: 11.14.2013
• Date Posted: 11.14.2013 11:43
• Story ID: 116730
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US