May 7, 2013
Good morning! Pete Polar Bear here.
I’m subbing for Dick today. It’s his 82nd birthday. So, he’s got the day off. I told him not to worry, we had some pretty good stuff to pass on to you. Healthy stuff, too!
When Dick was up here last fall taking a look at what we do and snapping pictures, I let him in on a secret.
I demo’d my morning workout.
Do it every day. It gets the kinks out.
Didn’t want him to leave Churchill with the idea that only humans did that sort of thing. Yeah, morning stretches before you have your cup of java are good for you, but stretches works for me too, and for just about every other critter on the planet.
Neck Stretch. This is where I start. After a long nap – and I mean a really long nap – there’s nothing like a good neck stretch to get the blood flowing to the brain.
Pete Polar Bear’s Neck Stretch
Leg Stretch. Next I get down on the mat and really give the legs a good stretch. Several seconds for each leg. Push ‘em out 15 or 20 seconds each, until there’s a little tension. Don’t hold the breath. Up here, we sometimes can see the steam coming out of the old nostrils.
Pete Polar Bear’s Leg Stretch
Hip Flexer. This is one I really like. Really swing the right hind leg over the left as far as I can and reach for the mat; and then the left over the right. About 20 seconds each way. Gets the hamstrings, hips and lower back really loose.
Pete Polar Bear’s Hip Flexer
Full-Body Stretch. While I’m down there on the mat, I give it a full-body stretch. Really tug the legs, up and down. Do it a couple of times, about 20 seconds each.
Pete Polar Bear’s Full-Body
Stretch
Sit-Ups. These really get the tummy tight and stretch the lower back. Do a bunch, 20 or 30, nice and slow. There’s no need to hurry.
Pete Polar Bear’s Sit-ups
Wrap-Up. That’s it. Really felt good! Dick tells me that I’ve got him doing the stretches every day. Understand he plans to put these picts on Facebook to give more folks an idea about how we keep in good shape. That makes me happy! As they say down there where Dick lives, “Have a great day!” And give the old body a good stretch!
Have a Great Day!
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Extra Credit: Check out our new photo website: dickjacobsphotography.com
