Aaron L. Mattes (USA) developed the Active Isolated Stretching Method (AIS) over 30 years ago. Mattes found that movement helps relieve symptoms of stress. Stress touches all of our lives. Gentle stretching can invigorate the circulatory, respiratory & neuromuscular systems, which help alleviate many of the symptoms of stress.

   This stretching method targets a release & restoration of the superficial & deep fascia & stretches major muscle groups. Fascia is the connective tissue under the skin, which covers the whole body, bones, muscles & organs. It wraps the entire body as if in an elastic body stocking. Fascia offers flexibility & elasticity to the body however if there is no movement in the body fascia starts to contract & thicken leading to a reduction in flexibility & elasticity.

   AIS is an effective therapeutic treatment to release fascia & restore it for optimum functioning of the body. Doing an active isolated stretch & holding it for no longer than 2.0 seconds allows the target muscle to lengthen without triggering a stretch reflex. Therefore the isolated muscle achieves a state of relaxation & a beneficial stretch can be accomplished without resulting trauma.

   AIS facilitates important functional restoration of muscles, tendons, vertebrae, ligaments & joints, helps in postural restoration, performance enhancement, injury prevention & rehabilitation.

   AIS enables individuals to stretch properly without endangering the joints, muscles or connective tissue. These stretches can be done either assisted or unassisted. Assisted stretching happens with a trained AIS therapist who will instruct the client how to perform the stretches which then can be done unassisted at home on a regular basis.

   Benefits:

Restores & increases flexibility
Reduces stress & fatigue
Promotes relaxation
Prevention & recovery of sports injuries
Improves posture
Promotes functioning & restoration of muscles, tendons, vertebrae, ligaments & joints.
Promotes improved vascular & lymphatic circulation, increased oxygenation, removal of toxins & a more efficient nervous system.
Improves sports performance