Leg Stretches in the Passenger Seat

Easy Leg Stretches in the Passenger Seat

by

Ashley Osier

MA, HHE, CPS, CSMT, CAMT, CAYT, CWHP

 ~ Holistic Wellness for Mind, Body, and Spirit ~

So this post is a safety message as much as it is for stretching. You will want to do these stretches when you are parked somewhere safe (given you are taking a road trip and are in the passenger seat). I had absolutely no idea that sitting in the passenger seat would be dangerous. YIKES! But I recently came across a video showing how unsafe it is to be a passenger with your legs stretched out as well as articles with photos of people who have been in accidents after sitting in this position. Not kidding! I'm not going to include the links I have seen, but you can Google it for yourself. Just think about what might happen when the airbag is deployed. Not good! So looking at my photos, know that this is the last time I will be sitting like this while in the passenger seat.

With that said, these stretches are fantastic before you leave, after you have arrived at your destination, or when you are stopped somewhere-like a rest stop. To all my readers who are students, if you are studying at home and are seated on the floor, you can stretch out your legs on the coffee table, couch, or ottoman (or just straight in front of you). If you are studying or reading in bed, you can put your feet up on stacked pillows to get the same kind of stretch. People who are able and are cleared to do so by your doctor, you can apply these same stretches while in your hospital bed. Just ask for a couple of pillows and place them under your knees and feet. For all my office workers, if you are at an office and you have a chair that is sturdy, you can stretch your legs out onto your desk (provided you are in a room by yourself or have a super cool boss). You could also use another chair, provided it is put against a wall for stability.

Posture Rules: make sure to sit up straight, engage your abdominal muscles, lift your sternum, pull those shoulders back and down, and draw the middle of your neck back. Now breathe and relax as you do the following...(to make these stretches deeper, lean forward with your chest without rounding your back or letting your abdominal muscles go)

Repeat Each Stretch 10 Times

    Pointing the Toes                                                    Flexing the Toes

                     

Pulling Toes In                                                           Pulling Toes Out

Single Toe Touch                                                        Double Toe Touch

You can stretch with one hand and then both hands, if you have the time. You can also point and flex and you extend your hands forward. Make sure to breathe deeply (exhalation is as important as inhalation) and follow the posture rules above.

I am adding my link here to the videos I made for gentle neck stretches and using PRT on the low back while in the car, here. Check them out and make sure to "like", "subscribe" and send a comment. If you are interested in other posts or videos, please make sure to let me know. 

Happy Stretching!

Ashley

Ashley Osier is a  holistic health educator and therapist, stress management therapist, corrective posture and exercise specialist, an acupressure and massage therapist, stretching, massage, acupressure, and self-acupressure instructor and creator of the Point Release™ Technique and StretchFit™ Method. She specializes in working with stress management, injury prevention and pain relief, therapeutic stretching for individuals and couples, and posture awareness. She also offers coaching in nutrition and support for women going through divorce. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting her at ewsomatherapy@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available on this blog is for general information purposes only. You agree that your use of this blog is at your sole risk. Consult your physician before beginning any stretch, exercise or self-acupressure suggestion. By using this site, you are agreeing to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Ashley Osier against any and all losses, expenses, damages and costs resulting from using the information contained within this blog.