Assisted stretching can involve the use of a towel or strap to aid in the stretch, a stability ball, a partner to help deepen the stretch, or even a golf club. The obliques are the abdominal muscles that run diagonally on the sides of the torso. There are internal and external obliques, and their primary jobs are to flex the torso forward and sideways, along with rotation of the torso. The obliques like any other muscle need to be strengthened and stretched regularly.
Stretch 1
Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width. Grasp a golf club with both hands, one at each end and raise the club over your head. Relax your arms while keeping your abdominal muscles engaged. Inhale and rotate your torso as far as you possibly can without moving your hips. Next, flex your torso forward at a 45-degree angle, with the club slightly behind your head. You should feel this stretch along the side of your torso where your obliques are located. Hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds and repeat on the other side.
Stretch 2
This stretch requires the assistance of a partner. Sit down on a chair with your left leg crossed over the right knee and your right hand braced against your upper left knee for leverage. Your partner stands behind you with his hands on both of your shoulders. Engage your abdominal muscles, inhale and rotate to look over your left shoulder. Your partner can accentuate the stretch by positioning his hands along your spine. Hold the stretch 10 to 30 seconds and then repeat on the other side.
Stretch 3
This stretch can utilize a partner to deepen the stretch. Lie supine on the floor with your arms extended out to your sides. Bend your knees and place your feet on the floor. Next, bring both your knees over to one side of the body toward the floor while keeping both shoulders in contact with the floor. Your partner can place one of her hands on the outside of the top knee and the other hand on the opposite shoulder to keep it from lifting off the ground. She then gently presses down on the knees and shoulder to deepen the stretch. Hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds and then repeat on the other side.
Stretch 4
This stretch uses a stability ball to assist in stretching the oblique muscles. Kneel down next to a stability ball and lie on the ball on your right side, with your right hand on the floor for support. Place your left leg forward of the ball and your right leg behind the ball for balance. Reach over your head with your left hand to feel the stretch on your left side as you drape over the ball. Hold the stretch for 10 to 30 seconds then switch sides and repeat.
