Customer Reviews

Active Isolated Stretching: The Mattes Method

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
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Aaron Mattes started formulating Active Isolated Stretching almost
thirty years ago and in his new books he thanks others for capably
teaching his method. The difference between the founder and the
students is Mr. Mattes constantly strives for improvement and the
subtle changes in positioning and protocol in these latest works bear
this out. I'm a nationally certified personal trainer specializing in
stretching and strengthening. Over the past several years of using the
Mattes Method, I've had clients get relief from chronic pain caused by
numerous conditions. They have defied prognosis and have recovered to
lead lives of normalcy once again. My clients have amazed their Dr.s,
even at the Mayo Clinic. Do I get these results 100% of the time? Of
course not. But these kinds of results are typical for me using Active
Isolated Stretching. The information in the first dozen pages lay out
the scientific and medical basis for the common sense approach of the
Mattes Method. His references are sound and accepted. Mr. Mattes
politely refutes some of the "traditional" stretching styles
and backs his with physiological laws. I've worked with NCAA
champions, a couple of Big Ten Athletes of the Year and even Medaled
Olympians who will attest to the effectiveness of the Mattes Method. I
have several colleagues throughout the states and abroad achieving
similar successes. This book delivers the over 200,000 hours of
clinical and field experience that has brought Aaron Mattes
international attention and acclaim. The book should be on every
physical therapist desk and in every massage school library. My wife
has anklyosing spondylitis and her hip replacements are both over
17yrs. old. The Mattes Method saved her from a return to a wheel chair
over 8yrs. ago. You can email me at rayfritz@mgoblue.com

This book turns the idea of long-held, static stretches on its head. The stretching methods shown are not relaxing and can cause the opposing muscle groups to also need stretching -- but the results are nothing short of astonishing for sports injuries and even for the muscle tightness that accompanies arthritis.
The book is grouped into sections for the shoulder, elbow/wrist/arm/hand, neck, hip/knee, back/trunk, and ankle/foot. All stretches are shown in photographs in at least two stages, those you do by yourself, and those one would assist another with are shown in separate sections of the book.
It is as much a text as a how-to book. It could be more user-friendly, (you may need to re-read the instructions several times) but the book is comprehensive, and the stretches are ingenious. This book is definitely worth the investment not just for athletes, but anybody with aches and pains.

I took one of the Active Isolated Stretching classes here in NYC and I can tell you the book is better than the class itself. Buy the book, follow the instructions and you will be ripping off the benefits of this stretching technique.

I'm a middle aged woman who hates to exercise but I do it because, well . . . we must ;-)
My massage therapist recommended this "Active Isolated Stretching" book to me and I'm amazed at how much flexibility the exercises quickly produced. The instructions are clear and simple to follow; the photographs show proper position. The laminated cover and spiral binding are a plus, too; the book actually stays flat and open to the page you are working on!

The only negative I have for this book is that in the latter half the exercises are done with an assistant. Since I live alone this part is useless.
Margaret

After 20 years and 4 whiplashes later, I had forward head and a humpback developing. Aaron Mattes fixed me in 2.5 hrs! I was so impressed, I took it on as a second career. Aaron Mattes shows you with his books and DVDs how to help restore yourself back to the Grand Design. AIS along with proper nutrition (mostly plant based diet) is the most holistic health habit to cultivate..it not only takes away numerous musculoskeletal and chronic pain problems, but makes your body better functioning for the long haul (as long as you continue do the exercises!). Initially when you are tight or working out your problems and weaknesses, it requires a dedicated almost daily effort for a few weeks. Maintain your high level of functioning by repeating the exercises once or twice a week.

WORK WITH NATURE AND NATURE WILL RECIPROCATE...AIS is based on sound physiological laws of the body (reciprocal inhibition, abdominal exhale with exertion to release muscle tension, a moving stretch of 2 to 3 seconds (NOT static like most physical therapists and personal trainers tell you to do!), and applying gentle assistance of up to 1 pound of pressure to assist near the endpoint of the stretch). AIS increases flexibility dramatically and safely, opens up the energy flows to all your organ systems (via stretches being performed in the plane of the energy meridian flows), resolves injuries from the distant past, and prevents numerous surgeries..not to mention lowers your blood pressure. AIS releases tightness and scar tissue in your connective tissue, which facilitates the removal of toxins, chemicals, viruses, and emotional trauma which are stored in those tissues. Also by stretching your neck properly with his neck stretch and strength protocol, you improve oxygen flow to the brain, thus memory and concentration improve; hence helps those with Alzheimers.

This book has everything you need (other than a towel/stretch strap) to get started with a great stretching program. If you follow these stretches with the directions, you will not injure yourself while stretching.

The pictures show each stretch and variation clearly, plus there are written directions describing each move.

The book opens flat and will stay that way, which is very helpful for keeping your place.

I am a massage therapist, so my arms get very tight from work. The first time I went through the stretching protocol for elbows, wrists, and fingers I felt wonderful. It was almost as though I had received a deep massage, but I didn't hurt...it was great. Now I'm learning this to use on some of my clients that are particularly tight. Stretching affects the whole muscle rather than just a part of it at a time (like massage); so for people who are particularly bound up, stretching oftentimes can give a greater release overall before I work on the individual muscles.

There are a couple of areas I would like to see improvements though. 1.) I wish they would update the book to give some of the more recent scientific research that explains the mechanics and physiology behind why this type of stretching is so effective, 2.) There should be pictures of the muscles by layer, so you know more easily which stretches should be done in which order if you are not going to do all of the stretches for a body part. The stretches are supposed to release the fascia from superficial to deep; I believe some pictures of the muscles shown as cross-sections for each area from superficial to deep would be very helpful.

That said, overall it is a great book that I would highly recommend to anyone needing to stretch out an area of overuse, previous injury, or otherwise.

As a stretching coach, I use AIS exclusively for all my clients. I teach people this method because it allows for them to take full responsibility for their health, prevention and recovery.

Developing the basic understanding of how AIS works and using it everyday to move blood and keep joint range of motion open is the beauty of AIS. I suggest everyone learn this method and practice it every day for at least 5 minutes. What is 5 minutes for your health?

So do I recommend AIS--- YES! YES! Yes!
Get the book, Get the poster, Get a private session, Take a workshop. Get AIS into your life.

Thanks you. Stretchexpert.com

This book will change how you think about stretching. It explains what is wrong with the way many people stretch. It is good for athletes as well as for people like me that have lost range of motion in my shoulder joints. I highly recommend this book.

The stretches in this book are described and illustrated in easy to follow detail. Many myths about how to stretch are dispelled, and beyond proper technique, there is information about the physiology behind it. I bought the book with spiral binding so it stays flat, leaving your hands free to assist with the stretches.