Active Isolated Stretching

The theory behind AIS is that if a muscle is stretched too fast, too far, or for too long, it begins a protective action known as the myotatic reflex, causing it to automatically recoil in an attempt to prevent the muscle from tearing.

Advanced Active Isolated Stretching Practitioner, Marjorie Brook has recently introduced a series of manuals Flexibility First: A Fitness Approach For Life which teach how and why proper stretching can not only help your muscles, but also prevent future injury.

Marjorie is an International Educator/Therapist and the founder of Brook Seminars. She has taught active isolated stretching techniques to individuals and therapists for many years.

The Personal series provides instruction for individuals, athletes and active people, while the Professional series is designed for bodywork professionals and therapists of all kinds.

The manuals are very user friendly with great illustrations and comprehensive instructions that clearly lead the reader through step-by-step instructions on how to achieve the best results for themselves or their clients.

Marjorie also gives specific instructions to ensure proper body mechanics are utilized, preventing injuries, and also provides hints that increase benefits of many types of massage therapy with stretching.

"Stretching is essential to achieving and maintaining balance in the body," said Marjorie Brook, founder of Brook Seminars. "However, people will not stretch because they find it too difficult or time consuming.

The goal was to create a manual that would provide the easiest, most complete set of information needed to facilitate one's own well-being."

Flexibility First is system designed to help an individual achieve and maintain balance and well-being.

Flexibility First is not strain/counter-strain, PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation), or any other popular system claiming increased flexibility and function by simply exhausting muscle fibers into laxity.

Flexibility First teaches the professional as well as the individual how to stretch each muscle distinctly (in non loading positions), re-training each muscle to act correctly, specifically and cohesively within its muscle group.

Let’s face it; we all have times when our daily actions are less than beneficial for our health & well-being, whether due to a trauma, exhaustion, improper training, or boredom. When that imbalance exists our muscles learn to function incorrectly or to compensate.

This video clip shows Marjorie Brook demonstrating some of the stretching techniques that her manuals teach.

Without corrective stimulus the compensate cycle continues to force the muscles into working inaccurately and inefficiently. We all need a simple and effective practice that helps our body to return to maximum performance, efficiency and wellness.

This is a must read for anyone who is interested in achieving and maintaining the ultimate state of health and flexibility.

Previews of both series are offered via a free 12 week e-mail subscription. Available at www.flexibilityguides.com.

International Educator Marjorie Brook is a Licensed Massage Therapist and an Advanced Active Isolated Stretching Practitioner.

She developed F.A.S.T. Tissue Release Method, a unique program that approaches the multi faceted matrix of fascia three dimensionally to reduce pain, and physical scarring by freeing restricted tissues.

She teaches her techniques throughout the U.S. and Europe, offering continuing education courses in F.A.S.T. Release Method, F.A.S.T. Therapy with AIS, and Body Mechanics through her company www.brookseminars.com. Marjorie’s private practice, caters to a wide clientele of healthy and special needs adults and children.