Yoga Mat Companion 3 Quotes

“The muscle spindle reflex arc tapers off if you hold a stretch for a minute or so. It also diminishes if you contract its antagonist muscle. You can accelerate the acclimatization of the muscle spindle by backing off slightly from a deep stretch for three or four breaths. The muscle spindle will decrease its firing just as if you had held the stretch for a minute. You can then engage the antagonist muscles to go deeper into the pose.”
― Ray Long, Anatomy for Backbends and Twists: Yoga Mat Companion 3

“The Golgi tendon organ detects increases in tension in the region and relays this information to the spinal cord, which then inhibits the muscle from contracting.”
― Ray Long, Anatomy for Backbends and Twists: Yoga Mat Companion 3

“In facilitated stretching, we intentionally contract the muscle we are stretching. This increases firing of the Golgi tendon organ and augments the relaxation response. The response peaks at about two to three seconds after we stop contracting the target muscle, during which time we can take advantage of the “slack” that has been created and lengthen the muscle. The”
― Ray Long, Anatomy for Backbends and Twists: Yoga Mat Companion 3

“Moving through the postures stimulates the release of neurotransmitters called endorphins. These molecules interact with the same receptors in the brain as pain medications such as morphine, producing a sense of well-being and comfort.”
― Ray Long, Anatomy for Backbends and Twists: Yoga Mat Companion 3