Cat-Cow
Why it matters
The Cat-Cow helps you move more freely through the positions your training demands.
How to do it
- Set a stable base and move only the segment you are targeting.
- Ease into the starting position without forcing the range.
- Set a comfortable position you can control before moving.
- Move to the first point of tension, not into pain.
- Ease slightly deeper on each exhale.
- Hold the end position briefly, then return smoothly to the start.
- Move through the range slowly, one segment at a time.
Coaching cues
- Go for a smooth, even bend rather than forcing the end range in one place.
- Move to the first point of tension rather than into pain.
- Breathe out as you ease a little deeper into the range.
- Move smoothly and slowly rather than bouncing.
- Own the full range of every rep before you add reps or make it harder.
Watch out for
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Forcing or bouncing into an end range.
Forcing past your range fights the stretch instead of easing it and does little for mobility.
Instead Move slowly to gentle tension and let it ease with your breath.
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Holding your breath while you hold the position.
Holding your breath tenses you up and stops you easing deeper into the range.
Instead Keep breathing slowly and let each exhale ease you a little deeper.
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Snapping quickly from one rep to the next.
Snapping through reps skips the controlled range that mobility work depends on.
Instead Move slowly into and out of each repetition.
The detail
- Tempo
- Move slowly and hold positions rather than bouncing.
- Breathing
- Breathe slowly and use each exhale to relax a little deeper.
- Range of motion
- Work to a comfortable end range that eases over the set.
- If you are new to it
- Reduce the range and build gradually session to session.
- Once it is easy
- Add a gentle contraction at end range before relaxing deeper.