Flexin

“Life ts short, the read ts
long. hurry!”

AFTER six years of

playing volleyball at the

elite level, Troy Tanner
was ready to hang up
his kneepads.

Hed competed as 2 mem:
ber of the gold-medal US
squad in the 1988 Seoul
Olvmpies but after two knee
induries resulting in surgery,
he could no longer count on
even finishing a tournament.

Luckily a buddy ( Karch
Kiraly) introduced him to a
flexibility coach and asa
result Tanner began to par-
ticipate in and embrace a
committed, regular program
of stretching. In 1994 he
competed in his first injury-
tree season and is today
ranked 13th in the world
according to the Association
of Volleyball Professional
rankings.

The old expression that
we are only as strong as our
weakest link holds true in
many areas of life, both phys-
ically and emotionally, but
nowhere is it more accurate
than in the athletic arena.

Te’s extremely common in
weight facilities to see people
throwing around heavy
poundage in order to build
up their biceps, quads or
pecs, but these same budding
Arnolds (or Arnettes!)
wouldn’t dream of paying
any real attention to their
overall flexibility.

Eventually you see these
same bodies wandering slow-
ly around the gym with faces
as long as an undertaker’s
overcoat complaining about

back. shoulder or Jeg injuries
that in most cases could have
been aveided with a proper
stretching routine.

Phere is ongoing debate
out there about what kind of
stretching is most advanta-
geous and just about every:
one has an opinion. Concepts
cun the gamut from the
ascendanee of holistic, total
body elasticity through to
static and dynamic tech-
niques.

The other end of the
spectrum includes proprio-
ceptive neuromuscular facili-
tation (PNE), a method most
people can’t even pronounce
let alone perform properly.

The bottom line is what-
ever method vou choose or
are taught, make sure you
adopt it with enthusiasm
because it will be one of the
most critical factors in staving
off problems that impede
enjoyment of and participa-
tion in your chosen sport.

If you're a swimmer, ten-
nis player, golfer or athlete
who uses the upper body as a
key element in your athletic
endeavour, then fecus on
developing flexibility in the
shoulders, back and chest as
well as the trunk muscles that
support and stabilize the
spine.

Obviously you want to
maintain and increase your

range of motion below the
waist -- as do runners and
soceer pavers = so pay
attention ta the hip devors,
quadriceps. hanistiisgs and
calves Achilles tendons.

Yhe bottom fine here ts
that ive re not physically
balanced vou are weak, irre
spective of how strong vour
muneles are. Ge to your local
gym, seck out the services of
a qualified physical trainer
and get started ont stretch
ing program,

You dot have to get car-
ried away with tis concept,
although, like everything in
life some people do like to go
to the limit.

Just ask Adrian Crook, a
43-year-old stretching guru
who can touch his nose to his
toes on one leg with the
other pointed straight up sky-
ward.

This may not impress his
buddies but I'll ber it woutd
make for interesting conver-
sation on a blind date!

On a serious note, do
make sure the person advis-
ing vou knows what he or
she is talking abour.

Look for a professional
with a strong athletic and/or
coaching background since it
is important you get current,
progressive and functional
direction in this key area.

On a closing note remem-
ber, be good to yourself. Be
patient. Be kind. Be forgiv-
ing,

After all, you're all you've
got!

Shane Collins is a plnsical
trainer and athletic conch as

well asan accomplished ultre
endurance runner and
marathon swimmer. He can be
reached at (604) 921-0726.

Sunday, November 8. 1998 ~— North Shore News - 43

FAMILY JEWELLERS since 1955

“Lest we forget”

Window by Paidaw Bishop
Tues-Sat 9:00-3:00

1598 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver 988-4717

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2 “FORE” 1 OFFER

nestled at the foot of Mt. Seymour

924-2950 for reservations
expires Nov. 30, 1998

inally a designer fashion store that creates classic clothes for real women!
Unlike the tightly cut clothing that seems to be todays mainstay, Ms Emma
Designs offers comfortable stylish clothing that emphasizes sweep and

drape. Best of all, each piece is custom fil to your figure at no extra charge!

“Our styles range from the avant-garde to the classic and our fabrics are anything but
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and aperated exclusively by women. “We carry rich woolens in burnished hues,
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wood-based fibre called Cupro that is very silky and drapes beautifully.”

Ms Emmas offers a beautiful selection of unique clothing and accessories, including
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kind, at prices that are very affordable, A fully lined suit is under $500 and dresses
range from $285 to $550. For looks that last a lifetime!

“This isnt disposable fashion,” says customer Christina Duncan. "Ms Emmas creates
clothing that is very appealing and very wearable for many years.”

For the holiday season, Ms Emmas has created a unique line of silk velvet gowns at
extremely competitive prices. "We have an exquisite silk velvet dress with an
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Previously in Yaletown, Ms Emma Resigns re-located to Kerrisdale and West
Vancouver "to be closer to her customers,” says Lori, who brings her canine
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Lori is inviting everyone to drop by for a visit and enter Ms Emmas draw for a $400
gift certificate. Their West Vancouver store is located right next to the Beach Side Café
on Marine Drive, near Ambleside Park.

om out a pallot in store
a Gift Certificate $ fora

"400

tonan use towards your jolla?

tn Necessary. Draw to be held NOW 245°
mat £0 be notified by y phone

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1360 Marine Drive West Vancouver 925-3350 1838 w 7th Ave., Vancouver 264-4443
Open Mon-Weds 10-6 Thurs & Fri 10-8 Saturday 10-6