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People say that Yoga is great for stretching your ...

Question from Celia Rand: People say that Yoga is great for stretching your muscles, and also that massage is good to keep your muscles healthy. So, are they both important? Should you just choose one?

Answer from Donna Flagg: Definitely do both! The thing is that massage doesn't actually stretch you and flexibility in general, is an important part of balancing your body's health. There are lots and lots of ways to stretch and increase your flexibility, but it is different from the "loosening" and stress relief that results from massage. Think of stretch, cardio and weight training as divisible into equally important parts.

Answer from Tami Racaniello: Yoga is an active mind-body exercise, whereas massage is passive. In yoga, you are constantly assessing your body for any held tension, and making postural adjustments (ex.:shoulders down the back as in Downward Dog, proper hand placement, hip rotation, etc.). In massage, you lay there while someone manipulates you, which involves a mind-body connection for the massage therapist, but very little for you, as most of the time you are relaxing, with the exception of having to turn over, or move an arm or leg, now and then. They both offer very different benefits, so go do a yoga class, and then follow it up with a massage!

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