The Stretch That Took Me. A FormaFit Reflection
I didn’t plan to travel, and much less, to unravel. I just stretched on my bed. It was a lazy type of stretch, almost. But something shifted. In my hips. My spine. My neck. And suddenly, I wasn’t here anymore.
Coach Vida on the move
I was a complete drooling noodle. As soon as I let go, it was like someone was helping me. Not touching me but guiding. Swinging my hips, gently. Loosening something I didn’t even know was clenched until the moment I felt release. And when it did? My neck felt and my lower back so light. Like together we had been carrying stories, strategies, and survival and just then… it dropped them. Like I didn’t need to hold up the world anymore.
I felt delight. Real, physical delight. Is this a taste of euphoria? Not the kind that comes from thinking something good. The kind that floods you drunk and dreamy and makes your body whisper:
“We’ve been waiting to feel this.”
“We’re not used to being this open.”
“Give us a second… we’ll catch up.”
I’m still a little floaty. Still letting the muscles come back online. I’m sitting with this for a moment. But now I know:
Sometimes a stretch isn’t just a stretch. Sometimes it’s a door. Sometimes it’s a letting-go so deep, your body lets you leave for a minute, just to show you what it’s like to live without the weight.
Want to try The Stretch That Took Me?
Here’s how it happened for me:
We had just walked 6 miles. That’s an increase for us. We’ve been casually building endurance while things are slow on the business side of my life, in the economy, and in the city. There’s tension in Los Angeles right now due to ICE raids and protests. My freelance work is moving slower than usual. Some of it’s global like the alert energy in the air after the Iran bombings. We can feel it, even if we don’t have the news on. So we walk. We stay active. We move through it together, gently, and with purpose.
Last week we hit 5 miles twice. Before that, we were doing 3–4 miles with a hill. We dropped the hill but added distance, and that day was our longest yet. We are building endurance, enjoying the walks and taking our time.
By the time we got home, I could already feel the soreness setting in legs and in my feet. Which is interesting because it was my back and hips that stretched yet my soreness immediately improved quite significantly.
I wasn’t trying to “recover” or start a routine. I just leaned on the bed… Actually I kinda threw myself over. I was trying too but I was too sore too. It was then that I just leaned a little back and let my body move. I thought it was lazy because instead of reaching for my toes, I lay on my bed but I use this position, using the bed as support, to stretch.
I was standing, leaning over onto my bed: soft belly fold
I stuck my hips out and let my back stretch
I let my hips gently swing side to side
I didn’t force it. I let the movement be slow and loose
And then it happened:
My neck lightened. My back loosened. My mind cleared. I felt gone, a different kind of clear but grounded. The soreness? Completely gone.
That stretch did more than one thing: It pulled me out of tightness, helped my body recover, and left me feeling open, flexible, and honestly kind of dreamy. Stretching is my most valuable tool for any pain. Never over do it. Always listen to your bodies limits but when you streeeeeeeeetch it just feels so good and that makes the benefits of stretching completely bonus.
You don’t have to do it “right.” Just let the bed hold you. Let your hips move. Let something go.
Want to add tools to your stretch?
If you like using simple tools to deepen your stretch or unwind more gently, here are a few I’ve personally used and liked. These aren’t required. But sometimes, the right tool can help your body feel even more supported in the release. I’ve personally used when I need extra support, especially during recovery or if there’s pain in the mix:
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Yoga Mat – Always my base layer. Whether I’m on the floor or using my bed, having a mat gives me traction, comfort, and a little zone that says: this is my time to reset.
Resistance Bands – These help ease into a stretch without overextending. I use them when my body needs a little more care, or when I want to keep things active but gentle.
Foam Roller (Large + Small) – The larger roller is great for big muscle groups like the back or thighs. The smaller one? A favorite for calves, feet, and anywhere I need to be more precise. Sometimes I roll before I stretch. Sometimes after. Both feel amazing.
Stretch Strap (with foot loop or handle) – If I can’t quite reach my foot for a knee or hamstring stretch, this strap helps me hold the position without strain. It’s like a bridge between “not yet” and “oh wait, I got it.”
You don’t need any tools to try The Stretch That Took Me, but if you’ve got these or want to try them they can make the experience even more supported.
More from FormaFit Active
El Diario Home: See El Diario’s home page to explore more
Some of my favorite stuff: Gear I Use
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