Move: Free Your Body Through Stretching Movement

by Lexie Williamson

An aspirational and inclusive guide to reaping the "feel-good" benefits of dynamic stretching. Aside from improved flexibility, these include better posture, reduced back strain and the mental "brain boost" that results from increased blood flow during movement.

Move explores dynamic stretching, or slow flowing movement. This is the most effective way to increase joint range of motion, thereby allowing us to move comfortably and freely, as we were born to do.

Uniquely designed to explore just six key move sequences each containing the main planes of flexion (forward bending), extension (back bending), side bending and rotation. They can be used either as five-minute stand-alone routines, or tagged together to form a longer flexibility sequence as you might experience in a flow yoga class.

The emphasis is on simplicity. There are six key move two lying, one cross-legged, one all fours, one lunge-based and the final one standing. Each routine has just four variations within it. This means the reader does not have to keep switching positions.

The book avoids yoga jargon or sports science language and instead focuses on the "feel-good" benefits of stretching. In short, the book will allow us all to stretch ourselves happy.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 6, 2020

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilled to get an e-ARC for MOVE, which fits my workout focus these days on easy movement, whether stretching, walking or yoga. However, I could not open the file either in Kindle or the PocketBook Reader app (the latter suggested by NetGalley for iOS interface issues.)

The synopsis sounds wonderful! Lexie Williamson, an exercise guru with three Bloomsbury books under her belt (The Stretching Bible, Yoga for Runners and Yoga for Cyclists), offers 5-minute routines that teach slow flowing movement, improve flexibility and posture, reduce back issues, and boost brain power through better blood flow.

There are six move sequences with four variations within, so exercisers won’t have to change positions while doing them. Sounds easy peasy with powerful results!

5 of 5 Stars for the cover, description, and concept.

Pub Date 06 Oct 2020   

Thanks to Bloomsbury USA and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#Move #NetGalley

[Andrea Pole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move by Lexie Williamson arrived at the perfect time for me. As someone who spends far too much of their day in a supine position (reading, what were you thinking?!) I was desperate for some relief for my lower back and neck pain. As a complete novice to any type of targeted movement, I was thrilled to discover that the emphasis here is on simplicity. Ms Williamson presents six key movement routines that can be done individually, or as a longer sequence of flexibility moves. Each exercise is explained in easy to follow steps, and accompanied by a photograph of the movement in action. Each exercise is also described for varying skill levels, from gentle (me) to more advanced routines for athletes, or those who have previously mastered a routine of flexibility movements. Most importantly, I believe that this is a routine that I will happily continue. I will certainly be purchasing this book for future reference. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bloomsbury USA and Bloomsbury Sport for the opportunity to benefit from this ARC.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some interesting exercises which are all the more valuable since they are dynamic. I wish there were more exercises and more pictures describing them but unless I could find a better book I will probably buy this one if it ever comes down in price

On rereading a lot of this is what my yoga class does.

[Stefanie Bevins]

I really enjoyed this book! I suffer from several chronic illnesses including Rheumatoid Arthritis and fibromyalgia and I need gentle stretches to implement in my day to get my body moving and my joints feeling better. I am glad to have read this book and now have it as a reference. There are 5 moves and the book has step by steo instructions as well as photos that show what each step is as well as how many repetitions and how long each pose should be held. There's also the regular moves as well as slightly modified gentle moves for those who may need to take it easy and advanced moves for those who may need a bit of a challenge. I really recommend this book for really everyone as getting your body moving is always good, but I especially recommend for my fellow spoonies and those suffering from chronic pain. I like that the sections are broken down to gentle, regular and advanced and obviously you should consult your doctor before starting anything new and don't do anything that causes pain. Great book!

[April Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the way this book is set up. There's a good introduction to stretching at the beginning, explaining the stretch with movement technique used in the book, the ways stretching helps your body, how to breathe, all the usual stuff that one expects and needs in any exercise book. What I really liked in this book, though, is that there are six basic move sequences targeting different areas, the moves in each sequence flow from one to the next easily, and all the moves are done in one position- standing, sitting, on the floor- so the flow isn't interrupted by getting up and down. After the basic walk-through of sequences, there are two adapted versions, a gentle set and an advanced set, to help you adapt the moves to your needs. The only equipment used is a cotton yoga strap, but any non-stretchy long strap would work, such as a robe belt or necktie, which is nice for those of us who don't want to buy special gear. A good back-pocket exercise book to have!

#Move #NetGalley

[K]

I read this book myself but enlisted my partner's assistance in testing the movements described in this book. Between my years of training in ballet/folk dance and their background in martial arts, nothing seemed too unusual out of this book and we were able to follow along with the instructions easily. I'm very glad we didn't try it all out in one session. The next day my hamstrings definitely felt the effects of our work, which was a surprise, because I didn't think it was that bad. The only weird thing is that the photos in the electronic ARC I received were not always in order and some text (such as the reps) overlapped with the movement descriptions, but not enough to fully block the test. I'll probably get a hard copy when it gets released, it will be easier to refer to while stretching. (I received a free electronic ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.)

[Abra Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Move is a wonderful antidote for the sedentary lifestyles that foster stiffness, pain, and muscle loss. Williamson introduces a series of six "moves" that merge traditional flexibility practices like yoga and tai chi while explaining the what, how, and why of our range of motion. I love that these "moves" require no props and made more accessible for those of differing abilities though sections for gentler, supported stretching and for those with more advanced capabilities. She explains the mental and physical benefits of stretching and provides detailed written instructions and imagery to guide readers through each movement. One critique I have is that the move names, while illustrative, aren't particularly inspiring. A great resource for beginners and those for whom "exercise" stokes dread.

I received a digital pre-publication copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cozy Book Spot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I enjoyed doing all the movements and it does make us feel better after doing them. All the movements have pictures so it's easy for you to follow and try do it yourself. There are the regular movements, and then the gently version of them and the advanced version. Very good! I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very good. It's a very simple approach and allows almost everyone to take advantage of these simple and effective exercises. It has good illustrations and explanations. Recommended for anyone that is not currently exercising.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

[Amanda Karsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice easy dynamic yoga workout. It does have a few impossible yoga poses. It is nicely step by step, easy to follow.

[Stu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent practical book on stretching through movement.

[Stan Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thesis of this book is that the author proposes six sequences of movements to help the reader regain lost flexibility, improve flexibility, and overall feel better. The book is structured in a way where the six basic sequences of movements are presented first, followed by a gentle variation for the person that might be starting out or recovering from injury and there is an advanced version for those who may already have an exercise and/or sport practice and are looking to improve their flexibility and range of motion.

The movements borrow heavily from a variety of movement disciplines including yoga, pilates and tai-chi, but are not presented as such because the author is trying to focus improving range of motion and flexibility. Yoga is static and while the forms are borrowed, they are interspersed in each movement sequence (called a 'Move') with more traditional stretching exercises. Tai-chi, on the other hand, is a movement discipline but is a very prescribed sequence. The author has done the right thing by drawing the general principles of flow movement and positions, but the integration of the classical practices into 'Moves' is both creative and innovative.

I say that because I think the book may appeal to those who need some basic stretching and exercise, and this serves as an excellent introduction to further practice in a traditional discipline such as yoga. It also appeals to those of us who have a regular stretching and exercise program but are looking to change things up a bit. On a personal level, the 'Moves' appeal to me as a new stretching program as I am getting tired of my current routine.

I'm reading and using the book 4 1/2 months into the sheltering in place due to COVID-19 in my state in the US. I know many people who were active in gyms have turned to home programs but the average person who needs some physical activity would do very well to read and use this book, even with the gentle variation as an introduction. I don't know how long we will be like this, but it is never too late to recommend that the average person - not the exercise enthusiast or athlete - try this out. Who knows, it might lead to yoga or pilates or kettlebells or something else more traditional.

I have reviewed this with an ebook, not print edition. I don't know what the print edition looks like, but it would be helpful if it was spiral bound, so the book could be laid out flat while using it. Even better would be a DVD version where each of the 'Moves' is illustrated in both the regular, gentle, and advanced forms.

Move by Lexie Williamson would a worthwhile addition to any fitness library, from beginner to the experienced, especially now. Williamson has also written a book called 'The Stretching Bible', which would also be interesting to read and use.

Thanks to the author, Bloomsbury Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving this review.